Top 3 English-Language Operas for Beginners

Many people find opera to be intimidating, inaccessible or just plain boring. However, in many cases, this is largely due to the language barrier. Most well-known operas are written in Italian, French or German, and no matter how interesting the plot or tuneful the music, the foreign language component can be truly frustrating. Luckily for English-speakers, there are wonderful operas written by both American and British composers in our native tongue. Here are three that are perfect for any English-speaking listener who wants a good introduction to opera without worrying about a foreign language.

Dido and Aeneas, by Henry Purcell
Henry Purcell (1659-1695) is one of Britain's best known composers. His contemporaries include other Baroque masters such as J.S. Bach and G.F Handel (who composed the famous Hallelujah Chorus, among other things). Dido and Aeneas is loosely based on a story from the fourth book of Virgil's Aeneid, about Dido, the Queen of Carthage, and her lover Aeneas. The plot is not at all complicated and the opera is only about one hour in length, which by operatic standards is extremely short. What this piece lacks in length, however, is made up for in substance. The music is hauntingly beautiful - this opera is truly a jewel of the Baroque operatic repertoire. My favorite aria from Dido and Aeneas is "Dido's Lament," a well-known piece sung by the leading lady just before her death.