Buzz
Many of you are aware—and perhaps some of you aren’t—that I spent several years studying opera and performing as a professional opera singer. During that time, I was particularly moved by the classical music of the 20th century. It’s unfortunate that so many are unaware that classical compositions persisted long after Mozart, extending all the way into modern times. To share some of the most remarkable modern operas I encountered during my studies, I’ve compiled a list of the top 10. Be sure to listen to each piece in its entirety.
10. Akhnaten 1984, Philip Glass
Philip Glass, a highly influential American composer, is renowned for his minimalist style. This opera, part of his trilogy about the lives of Einstein, Gandhi, and Akhnaten, is deeply captivating. Though the music may seem repetitive at first, as you listen more intently, you begin to notice subtle shifts and changes. These changes create an auditory illusion, allowing you to perceive other melodies floating within the texture. Glass has also composed extensive music for films, including the soundtracks for *Kundun* and *The Hours*.
9. Duke Bluebeard’s Castle 1911, Bela Bartok
Duke Bluebeard’s Castle retells the story of Gilles de Rais, a notorious serial murderer from medieval France. While the opera takes significant liberties with the true story, Bartok skillfully fills every note with tension and dread. This opera is as close as you’ll get to a horror film in the world of opera. I was privileged to play Duke Bluebeard alongside the talented Ellen Watts, and it took months to shake off the darkness of the music after living so deeply within it.
8. Nixon in China 1987, John Adams
I hope this entry brings a smile – it’s quite surreal to see an airplane on stage while people sing about their enjoyment of the flight. John Adams, a minimalist master, has composed numerous operas inspired by contemporary events. This is arguably his finest work and certainly the one he’ll be most remembered for. Adams hails from the United States.
7. The Rake’s Progress 1951, Igor Stravinsky
Be sure to listen beyond the recitative to fully appreciate the beautiful aria, which is wonderfully performed by Dawn Upshaw. This opera has the characteristic lightness of the 'classical period,' which is a feature of many of Stravinsky’s later compositions. Despite the music’s delicate nature, his remarkable gift for harmony makes this opera both stunning and rich—arguably one of the greatest operas of the 20th century in my view.
6. Life with an Idiot 1992, Alfred Schnittke
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a clip from *Life with an Idiot*, but I did manage to find a remarkable recording from Schnittke’s *Faust Cantata*. This cantata was later expanded into a full-length opera, his second. In this clip, you can hear Schnittke’s signature style, blending instruments like electric guitars and jazz drums. Schnittke was a genius at orchestration, and that’s clear both in this recording and in *Life with an Idiot*. If you're into 20th-century music or just curious, purchasing CDs by this extraordinary composer is a great decision.
5. The Light Operas 1998, Karlheinz Stockhausen
The clip above is from *Helicopter String Quartet*, the third scene in *Mittwoch aus Licht* (‘Wednesday from Light’). Stockhausen composed this monumental series of seven operas, one for each day of the week, spanning over 29 hours. It’s built around three counterpointed main melodies. This quartet is perhaps Stockhausen’s most controversial piece; while it might initially shock, as you become familiar with his music, it reveals much more depth. If you're new to Stockhausen’s opera style, I recommend *Monday from Light* as a great introduction. You might be surprised to find that there’s no vocal music at all – Stockhausen redefined opera, allowing instruments to serve as voices themselves.
4. Porgy and Bess 1935, George Gershwin
Here we see Leontyne Price performing *Summertime*. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better rendition of this iconic song. While I don’t typically classify this as a piece of high classical opera, its widespread popularity absolutely warrants its inclusion on this list.
3. Turn of the Screw 1954, Benjamin Britten
Initially, my top choice for Britten was *Billy Budd* (since I’ve performed the role of Billy, I admit I’m a bit biased), but I couldn’t find a clip on YouTube. Instead, I’ve selected *Turn of the Screw*, which is perhaps Britten’s most well-known opera. Benjamin Britten is, without a doubt, Britain’s most brilliant vocal composer of the 20th century.
2. Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District 1934, Dmitri Shostakovich
When this opera debuted, it was immediately banned by the Communist government, who dismissed it as ‘Chaos instead of Music.’ The story follows Katerina Izmailova, a woman who embarks on an affair and ultimately finds herself exiled to Siberia. It’s a chilling tale, and the music matches that tone with its dark emotional power. This opera is a must-see (and hear) for any opera enthusiast, even for those who typically don’t gravitate toward 20th-century music.
1. Lulu 1937, Alban Berg
Berg was a member of the Second Viennese School, alongside his mentor Arnold Schoenberg and Anton Webern. While all three composers were deeply involved in serialism—a method of composition based on mathematically determined rules—Berg stood out for his ability to craft beautiful, flowing melodies from this complex technique. *Lulu* is a shocking opera, and in the third scene, we witness the encounter between the main characters and Jack the Ripper. The clip above features the opera’s opening scene.
+ The Tender Land 1954, Aaron Copland
There’s no better way to describe Aaron Copland’s *The Tender Land* than as stunningly beautiful. In this recording, we hear Dawn Upshaw (disregard the image in the clip). This opera is inspired by the lives of a family living in the American Midwest, and Copland conceived it after seeing photographs of families struggling through the Great Depression.
Tender Land – Copeland
