To me, the appeal of opera lies in the fact that a myriad of singers and instruments, each possessed of different qualities of voice and sound, against the backdrop of a grand stage and beautiful costumes, come together in one complete and impressive drama.
quote by Junichiro Koizumi
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Related quotes
I think it was just an opera. Now, you go to opera, you expect to see and hear what the opera is. So, it was Catfish Row. It was singers. Marvelous voices. It didn't make no difference what color they were.
quote by Cab Calloway
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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I sometimes think that the saving grace of America lies in the fact that the overwhelming majority of Americans are possessed of two great qualities- a sense of humor and a sense of proportion.
quote by Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Grand opera is the most powerful of stage appeals and that almost entirely through the beauty of music.
quote by John Philip Sousa
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Well, opera began with an intent to resuscitate Greek drama, that is, modern opera as we know it.
quote by John Eaton
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Opera
A knife at the opera and,
Of the love shared on the stage;
But bring me the blue box of love and,
Share the content with me!
For the opera will be opening tonight because of you,
And all will clap their hands for seeing you on stage naked.
poem by Edward Kofi Louis
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Imagination
Imagine the concert
The concert did not cost a dime
But every soul was there- from the beginning of time.
It was the biggest concert the heavens had ever seen.
The greatest dancers and singers that were ever known.
On the largest television screen it was shown.
You had the crooners, the swooners,
the rockers, the boppers, and the opera singers
All gathered together for one big show.
In heaven- this is the way to go.
It started off with the “tappers” coming on to the stage
All well known in the archives of fame.
First Bill “Bo jangles” Robinson with Fred Astaire in back.
Then Jean Kelly. Ginger Rodgers,
and Gregory Hines picking up the slack.
Then came the female singers who were all
In the hall of fame, and all well known by their names.
Billie holiday, Lena Horne, Doris Day and Peggy Lee
Judy Garland and Dinah Shore-and lets not forget
The Andrew Sisters- who gave us so much more.
Then out came the male singers who touched the
Hearts of women all around the world
And made all their hair stand up and curl.
Mario Lanza, Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Dean Martin
Just to name a few, then let us not forget the soul singers
Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, and Nat “king” Cole
Then Marvin Gaye who really put on a show.
OH! This concert was a wonder to behold!
And the greatest one was yet to unfold.
Everyone waited in anticipation
As the angels blew their trumpets
And the harps let out the most beautiful melody.
For behind that big curtain
Walked out our all Mighty King.
All knees bent, and all heads bowed
You couldn’t hear a pin drop
Not a single solitary sound.
He gave the heavens his blessings
As every face lit with delight
And all the way to earth
You could see this glaring light.
This is the concert- that one day we may all see
If we follow his words, and help to save all humanity.
poem by Louis Rams
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A Musical Sound Is Forever!
Music everybody loves in the world;
Birds are loved mainly for their music;
Animals and plants too love music!
I have seen plants growing by music;
I have seen snake dancing by music!
Nature, music and book occupy all;
Without them life will be a real bore;
Life interest depends on their influence!
I have seen people with ear phones
Enjoying music when walking or travelling!
Music is beautiful order of sound we hear,
Which is produced by musical instruments.
Sweet voice of singers with music is divine!
I have seen many listening to TV Music often;
I have seen all dancing by pop singers’ music!
Gentleman Jim Reeves moves many hearts;
Pop King Elvis Presley still entertains fans;
The Beatles move the hearts still to divinity;
Michael Jackson has created music history;
Ricky Martin has made president dance too!
Who is there not moved by music in the world?
Essence of Dharma is Lord’s Song, Bhagavad-Gita!
Spirituality is developed by Lord’s music in Nature;
Musical preaching of Lords have become holy books
That rules the heart, mind and soul of all in the world!
poem by Ramesh T A
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Grand Illusion
Have you ever been sittin' at home watchin' television
and suddenly something comes on the TV and you say to yourself,
"Hey, how come my life ain't like that?"
Or maybe you're sittin' lookin' in a magazine,
you see some pictures, some advertising, you says,
"Man, I must really suck because my life sure ain't like that."
Did you ever feel that way? Yeah-
Well, you wanna know why your life isn't like what you see on TV
and in movies, in magazines and such, you wanna know why?
'Cause that's all bullshit! That's right-
Don't you go believing movies and TV and rock videos and all that crap, come on, I mean-
All that is is somebody else's fantasy, you know what I'm sayin' to you?
In fact, all it is is really more like a "Grand Illusion."
Welcome to the grand illusion
Come on in and see what's happenin'
Pay the price get your tickets for the show
The stage is set, the band starts playin'
Suddenly your heart is pounding
You're wishing secretly you were a star
But don't be fooled by the radio
The TV or the magazine
They'll show you photographs
Of how your life should be
But they're just someone else's fantasies
So if you think your life is complete confusion
'Cause you never win the game
Just remember that it's a grand illusion
And deep inside we're all the same
We're all the same
So if you think your life is complete confusion
'Cause your neighbor's got it made
Just remember that it's a grand illusion
Deep inside we're all the same
America spells competition
Join us in our blind ambition
Get yourself a brand new motor car
But someday soon we'll start to ponder
What on earth is this spell we're under
We made the grade and still we wonder
Who the hell we are
song performed by by Styx
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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It's very much like opera singers. They do the same thing. The first thing in the morning and the last thing at night, the thing they think about is their voice and how to take care of it.
quote by Johnny Mathis
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Morning in North Sligo
Slowly back the mist cloud moves,
as if drawn, like a duvet,
from a sleepers dream.
Like a stage curtain in
a drama, opens a play.
The moving mists the day.
Birds, thrushes and starlings
play on air, swoop and dip,
like scouts in early summer river,
dammed up beside their summer tent.
The mountains, awaken the ferns,
purple colored pall.
Rocks as if giants spoons,
turned upside down.
Old pigeons coughing a sound
on branches of trees,
observing, just that.
The others swoop and dive
upon the air,
await another time,
when tents rolled up,
and curtain closes over,
and drama is complete,
the story acted out
of generations,
another night.
poem by Bernard Kennedy
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Invincible Companion
Sometimes, you feel possessed…,
You hear voice whisper verses to your ears,
You pick your pen and write.
Sometimes, you want to add your line,
But, the voice will say; ‘No, it is not that way,
Listen very attentively, and, write’.
Sometimes, you will add your own line, and the voice
Will say, “Fine, it is alright”…,
Sometimes, you write before you think,
Sometimes, you omit some lines, then, you will have to wait
Long-temporally to get them back.
Sometimes, you get just the sketch, it becomes
An assignment to complete….
Sometimes, you argue with the voice for days
Before you turn out a piece; you listen, you think,
You write, cancel, and rewrite.
Sometimes,
When you become,
You look at the piece, and, you say, what a beautiful
Verses 1 have written.
Then, you will look back and say,
I never wrote that, I am just a tool in the hands
Of supernatural conspirators,
I am been used to respond to events,
Sometimes…
©2001
poem by Akachukwu Chukwuemeka
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The old jazz singers or old blues singers, you always just saw them kind of sitting down and singing. They weren't worried as much about their voice sounding perfect. They would make the song kind of fit their voice.
quote by Lucinda Williams
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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My costumes were made for sex appeal not for women.
quote by Brenda Holloway
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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I don't know many singers who actually do like the sound of their own voice.
quote by Roger Daltrey
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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It's far more impressive when others discover your good qualities without your help.
quote by Judith Martin
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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It is far more impressive when others discover your good qualities without your help.
quote by Judith Martin
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Get Off The Stage
Oh, you silly old man
You silly old man
Youre making a fool of yourself
So get off the stage
You silly old man
In your misguided trousers
With your mascara and your fender guitar
And you think you can arouse us ?
But the song that you just sang
It sounds exactly like the last one
And the next one
I bet you it will sound
Like this one
Downstage, and offstage
Dont you feel all run in ?
And do you wonder when they will take it away ?
This is your final fling
But then applause ran high
But for the patience of the ones behind you
As a verse drags on like a month drags on
Its very short, but it seems very long
And the song that you just sang
It sounds exactly like the last one
And the next one
I bet you it will sound
Like this one
So, get off the stage
Oh, get off the stage
And when we get down off of the stage
Please stay off the stage - all day !
Get off the stage
Oh, get off the stage
And when weve had our money back
Then Id like your back in plaster
Oh, I know that you say
How age has no meaning
Oh, but here is your audience now
And theyre screaming :
Get off the stage
Oh, get off the stage
Because Ive given you enough of my time
And the money that wasnt even mine
Have you seen yourself recently ?
Oh, get off the stage
Oh, get off the stage
For whom, oh ...
For whom, oh ...
For whom, oh ...
For whom, oh ...
Get off the stage
Get off the stage
Get off the stage
For whom the bell tolls
song performed by by Morrissey
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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What I enjoy most about being on stage is that the natural instruments give you a greater freedom with texture. When you use natural instruments they have their own resonance.
How wonderful opera would be if there were no singers.
quote by Gioacchino Rosini
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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God, Please Hear
God please hear my strongest appeal
I must quit this world in sense and actual
I feel discontented and resentful in real
As this is inner conscious urge and call
I don’t feel comfortable with people
Even though I am alright and capable
Beautiful land with all the resources at disposal
I always enjoy melody on cuckoo’s arrival
I find in her voice religious input and chanting
All hymns and prayers automatically compose and start emanating
That makes me not to go to any other place to hear
Your voice is heard there choked with pain to bear
You may be lamenting overall trend in general
People may not hesitate to kill and stage a funeral
Life has just become a curse and pawn in somebody’s hand
We can’t make out who is arch rival or reliable friend
Deception and treachery has formed the basic principles
Long queues are seen at religious place to become disciples
It not for offering prayers or helping the poor and needy
But to help the influential to accumulate more and become greedy
It has become ritual to pass on everything
Blame the luck, almighty and do nothing
I feel like to cry and weep with the tears
How far shall I stay here to witness and bear?
I don’t want to run away in fact
But I can’t be party to such acts
I have no power to rise in rebellion and react
As they are powerful enough to exert and assert
I enjoy the life with complete freedom
But in fact strangulate me and joy is seldom
“You must vacate the place” chides the wisdom
No use to say on land even if given a kingdom
Guide me with some discourses to stay
Keep me near with spirit and not push away
Neither shall I have courage to end holy mission
Nor to carry on with guilty conscious admission
poem by Hasmukh Amathalal
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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