Opera music, though often seen as daunting, intimidating, and an elite taste, is actually much more accessible and heard much more widely in popular culture than most people realize. So says an interesting and rather amusing article in the Chicago Tribune.
And here are videos clips from the article author’s ten favorite opera in pop culture moments.
Anything that gets more people interested in opera is a good thing, in my view.
Here’s a Simpsons moment from the author’s list:
—S. T. Karnick
Right, today the guest stars tend to be rappers. Not the same.
I don’t suppose either of those songs is actually from an opera, but they’re certainly superb performances by Elvis. Another singer from that era who had an often operatic voice was Roy Orbison. And we mustn’t forget David “Jay” Black of Jay and the Americans. Cara mia!
S.T., I have that Odd Couple episode w/Richard Frederickson on DVD. That show had quite a few fine arts people on as guest stars. I don’t think that would happen today.
Also, what about “It’s Now Or Never” & “Surrender” by Elvis Presley? I think the former was based on a song by Mario Lanza.