Top 10 "Must Know" Opera Songs 

I guess the first thing you must know is that opera "songs" are called "arias" ;-)

My beloved husband introduced me to opera and I will be forever grateful to him. He died on March 26th, and I'm in tears listening to this. Thank you .

Can't imagine a world without Music.

This is a great cross-section of Opera. I was taken against my will to the fabulous Maria Callas's farewell performance in London 1973. They couldn't get me to leave at the end. What an experience and a blessing. The best introduction to Opera possible.

My Mother who was a teacher, Taught English Lit, French, Math and Piano. Exposure to the arts such as Opera, classical music, Theatre Stage, playing an instrument and other aspects of culture was a prime directive in my household growing up. And she wanted all diversities to be able to have full access and the tools to experience it. She passed away some time ago. And now I fully appreciate and understand what she always wanted my sister and I to use as steppingstones in life.

Pavarotti was a phenomenon wasn't he

I got to meet Pavarotti backstage in the costume room of the MET when my grandfather introduced me to him. I was 14 years old and completely in awe of his height and presence! ❤#opera #Pavarotti #NYC

I was 28 when i started to appreciate opera. My father was very influential to my appreciation of this fantastic music. He's gone 10 years and I love it more than ever! Thanks Dad! ❤

10. Una Furtiva Lagrima - from l'Elisir D'Amore - featuring Luciano Pavarotti (0:00) 9. Vide Cor Meum - from Hannibal - featuring Danielle Di Niese & Bruno Lazzaretti (4:48) 8. Un Bel Di Vedremo - from Madame Butterfly - featuring Maria Callas (8:40) 7. Duo des Fleurs (Flower Duet) - from Lakmé - featuring Sabine Devieilhe & Marianne Crebassa (13:20) 6. Libiamo, ne' lieti calici - from La Traviata - featuring Juan Diego Flórez & Diana Damrau (17:52) 5. La Donna è Mobile - from Rigoletto - featuring Luciano Pavarotti (21:01) 4. Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen (Queen of the Night Aria) - from Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) - featuring Diana Damrau (23:48) 3. Habanera - from Carmen - featuring Anna Caterina Antonacci (26:50) 2. Nessun Dorma - from Turandot - featuring Luciano Pavarotti (28:59) 1. O Mio Babbino Caro - from Gianni Schicchi - featuring Maria Callas (32:05) (Made it easier, so you just click the blue-marked time-stamps, and instantly go to the part you want.)

I was but a child when my appreciation for this glorious music began! I'm now 64 years old and I can't get along without it!! It touches me like no other music!

I grew up in welsh valleys ,our home was filled with music---opera the favourite We had nothing ,but our home was filled with love, inspired by the music of arias being played on 78rpms. Wow that sound!!!!! Filled me with awe and appreciation for music Dad was tenor ,brother boy soprano me-----power like Bassey Neighbours genuinely loved our music days :) HAPPY DAYS AND TIMES

I love all types of music. It took me a little more than half my life to fully appreciate opera, not because I didn't like it but because I just didn't grow up with much opportunity to hear it. Well, other than on Bugs Bunny, lol. Now, I can honestly say that it is one of the purest forms of emotional expression that I've ever heard; and I dearly love it. Opera can take my breath away, make the hairs on my arms stand on goosebumps, move me to tears, and stir emotion within me like nothing else can. Just once in my life (preferably more), I would dearly love to see a live performance. Prima Donna, my gratitude to you for filling the last 34 minutes of my life with beauty. :)

I'm in bed with COVID-19. This has lifted my mood. Thank you.

My heart almost stopped when Callas sang the words" so as not to die at our first meeting ". The passion and power in her voice was phenomenal.

The sublime Maria Callas.

RIP Luciano Pavarotti 1935-2007. The greatest tenor of all times.

I heard my first opera en utero, my parents would put the headphones on my moms belly. Now that they are both in heaven, I truly understand how tragically beautiful this genre of music is! Thank you mom and dad. RIP

Just incredible Callas at her best Makes me cry every time WOW !!!! JUST WOW!!!!!!

When I spend time in my bedroom depressed. I listen to Opera and it helps me imagine to as I am listen. I have always loved Opera since I have heard it for the first time and wish I could have known that world.

I want the arts back, I want to go see the opera, the ballet... my soul is dying.., sob

Why is it that there exists music you never get tired of hearing over and over? Maybe it's this thing called ART?

Well it’s taken almost 30 years, to find that mysterious beautiful piece, I once heard in a Honda Accord commercial. For over three decades, I have searched opera databases, and could never find the tune. But thanks to you I found it finally!! It’s name is Mio Babbino Caro Thank you ever so much!!

Humming chorus from Madama Butterfly ! Puccini!

Every time I listen to Madama Butterfly last song I am breaking down into tears. For sure she says what an heart betrayed by destiny and sliced into pieces is feeling when giving up a life which becomes an heavy toll to bring about.

Im young opera singer and its my second year in music school and this arias make my heart full of happines and joy even if some of them are sad story💫,let the music go thru your heart let the music lead you to that magic land said my teacher to me every time when we are having some competition and she hug me tight ❤️‍🩹🎼 let this remind you that these little things in life like support is important and that music is really a joy

Impossible not to cry listening and missing Pavarotti. I missed him so much, thank you very much for sharing.

Classical music is not the type that "calmly gets out of your way" when you want to work. Rather, it enhances the value of your work, and achievements. Thankful

When I hear opera songs, it feels like a song in heaven

This takes me back to the days when my local public radio hosted non english opera for three hours every weekend. No need to understand the words, the music is more than eloquent in communicating the moment.

And Luciano--there will never be another like him.

I love opera so much, it makes me feel a kind of safety and calm, and it makes my mind and soul fly above the clouds. It's an indescribable feeling 😍

This used to be pop/rock music and now it’s classic

My favorite is Madame Butterfly because her emotion pierces my heart.

What a soul-wrencingly beautiful selection! I speak German fluently, and have taught myself Italian & French, so understanding the lyrics adds a special appreciation to the arias. What beautiful minds, to have composed such eternally beautiful melodies!

As along term house music fan I have now embraced Opera. May be its age but this is truly inspirational and emotional. Magnificent.

Without music, I am dead. This gives me so much life. Thank you

Having this play in the background as I sit of my opened window in the evening, listening to the sound of the rain. It's a new different feeling of peace

My favorite is Duo des Fleurs. I get emotional whenever I hear it. So pure. Thank you.

Thank you for sharing such beautiful music. My aunt was a famous opera singer in Poland, Barbara Nieman, and her husband Stefan Rachoń, he was my favourite uncle, we spent a lot of summers together on Mazury, we were playing cards and listening to great music. I'm forever grateful to them for teaching me to appreciate the greatest sounds ever created.

As a working class bloke brought up on the 'usual' music, my friends just can't understand my love for opera. I've seen all the greats at the Royal Opera House (I know someone who works there FREE TICKETS!!!!) This is a wonderful selection.

Personally, I could listen to Luciano Pavarotti sing Nessun Dorma every. day. for the rest of my life & never get tired of hearing him sing that aria. It’s the perfect song for a man to sing about overcoming all obstacles to obtain a desired goal. That said, I could listen to him sing pretty much anything in opera & never tire of it. Also, he seemed to love & appreciate his fans. Miss him! Otherwise, all of these are excellent choices!

A part of me wants to know what they’re saying. But a bigger part of me likes not knowing.

I grew up in a family of musicians, classical music lovers and above all, a deep appreciation and love of great opera. Madame Butterfly - oh how to comment for the most beautiful aria in the world.Thank you so very much

I am live in the Caribbean we do not listen to opera music at all but as I am getting older I open myself up to every genre but opera music awakens something in me I go to bed every night listening to opera music it speaks to my spirit and soul I absolutely love it ......

I know nothing about Opera, but I enjoy listening ever so often. Thank you!

I’ve loved opera my whole life. I remember listening to Caruso as a very young child and being mesmerized by his glorious voice.

Thank you for posting, im 54 and just discovered Opera, i feel like ive missed so much but im in love with the world again. Beautiful music. I didn't know arias are what we call them too, thanks for sharing ❤

I'm no expert on opera music, But I feel Maria Callas singing Casta Diva (Bellini Norma act 1) should be here. This song is beautiful and always brings a tear to my eyes x

Listening to "Una Frutiga Lagrima" and remembering it's So beautiful. How i miss the beautiful opera live everyone dressed up listening quietly. Can't help the tears from flowing.

A must for lovers of opera

Maria Callas et Pavarotti sont dans mon cœur , en les écoutant , je me ressource avec émotions , merci 💓

I love opera so much. Nothing else comes as close to the intensity of emotions than opera.

madam butterfly always gets to me , the music is heartrenching and beautiful

Nessun Dorma - and the story behind it -- very enjoyable.

So happy you picked Diana Damrau's Queen of the Night. IMO she conveys the elemental menace and rage of the scorned woman like no other. The score is truly challenging, and Diana's is IMO the definitive performance.

I'm a newcomer and my favorite is Un Bel Di Vedremo from Madame Butterfly (8:43). Madam Callas drew me into opera and now I can't leave having heard her at 12:38. Many thanks for uploading this.

Unimaginable beauty and lofty human aspirations to the highest level of civility.

Thank you for sharing. Maria Callas voice is heartbreaking beautiful and unequalled 🙏

I specifically went here to find Duo des Fleurs since I did not know the name but thought it must be in a top list. Thank you!

I would add two: E lucevan le stelle (Tosca, Puccini) and Vesti la giubba (Pagliaccio, Leoncavallo).

Credit and respect to all of them...artists, composers as well as orchestras . My favorite is Callas /Madame Butterfly.

My music teacher sent me here, but I didn't regret.

You chose well! All of these arias were classics I've heard since I was a little girl...Nessun Dorma is one of my all time favorites! Hearing Maria Callas sing "O Mio Babbino Caro" has always given me chills. She really embodied it. Thank you for this. It brought me to tears. I feel soooo very fortunate to have been exposed to opera and classical music as a young child. Music is Everything! That is, Good music is Everything!

I so miss going to the opera right now, this gives me so much joy and sadness 🖤💙 and the tears are flowing. As much as I appreciate this, we could add so much more to this list I can’t name the top 10

My parents took me to the Royal Opera House in London to see Carmen when I was 12. I thought it was wonderful. Several years later I used to stand in the gods with my fellow student opera fans for 80p a time. I saw all the Verdi, Puccini and Mozart operas standing up and still love them. Everyone should have a chance to appreciate opera and it should be available to all.

And then I cried...felt the Italian vibe, heard Luciano's voice, and just couldn't help myself This is what a hurting world needs, thank God and these beautiful talents for some classical music relief

Beautiful beautiful beautiful .... Thank you!

I am new to opera. I heard 'O mio bambino caro' for the first time a few years ago sung by Rene' Fleming. It melted my heart, my eyes filled with tears and I had goosebumps. I will be taking some time to learn more.

i swear this selection is better than any new music

Hi, all the arias are gorgeous. I am familiar with all of them except the second aria. My dad loved opera and sang a lot of the arias. I heard it as a baby. When I was a teenager I was a big rolling stones fan. Saw them in concert in the Hague and also in Edmonton. When dad was off work, he blasted opera on his stereo and as a typical teenager I went out with my friends till 3 in the morning. Needless to say I tried to cover up my ears with my pillows to no avail lol. Nessum Dorma my dad sang effortlessly. My dad passed away on September 10, 2021. His death was atrocious as he became "useless," to her and wanted all that he possessed. She did not want to take care of him and hastened and abused my dad. She overdosed him with morphine and who knows, fentanyl. She did everything in her power to keep me away from dad. But God made sure on the day, a Sunday I saw him. I went into shock at his condition. I had my ex husband with me and he went into shock as well. He said the man lying there gasping for air didn't even look like my dad. He immediately said something is fishy here, she is hiding something. I wish I could hire a criminal lawyer. Dad is not the first elderly man who got victimized. My sister and I do not get any answers to where dad is. It's all kept secret by her. All this came out and I am sorry. I just have to. Feel helpless and hopeless since there is no justice. But dad left me something really precious; the beautiful world of Opera. His favorites are Maestro Luciano Pavarotti (hope I spelled correctly) and the unforgettable Maria Callas. As tragic as opera can be about love and loss, we also lost my brother Brian to cancer on July 6th, 2021. I picked up Opera on you tube but sobbed and could not finish listening to the songs my dad sang. But today it gives me joy and peace. Dad did a duet in Holland and I asked her if I could have it. But no. He also has all the old fashion records of Operas. Anyways I am now immersed in the music. If I could only sing like dad, that is all I ever wanted. However so grateful to have good hearing and the privilege to listen to the magnificent world of Opera. My dad's obituary is known with his name Gerardus Jansen in Olds AB. My brother name is Brian Sandy Jansen RIP. Thank you for sharing the 10 famous Arias.

all immortal arias, brilliantly performed by legendary opera singers. simply the best. Thank you for uploading this magical music. ☘💚

I can think of many arias that are “missing” from this list, but honestly, with all the sublimely beautiful music in opera, how can you choose just ten? This is a great collection. I love it! Thank you for putting it together.

How glorious is this music, it heals ones soul.

Even though I don’t understand Italian, I feel the emotions. That’s the universal language of music.

The notes are so magnificent....touches the soul

Piękne! Miód na uszy i duszę. 🇵🇱❤️🇵🇱

Which was my favourite? Each was more unutterably beautiful than the one before it. How can one choose a favourite? They are ALL my favourite.

Vide Cor Meum is so beautiful. I get chills from it.

The Opera is quite different and special. Thank you for these masterpieces that make us feel alive.

Not sure how 356 ppl could dislike this but thank you for this post. Brought back memories of my childhood when I studied ballet. Much needed sound therapy in this chaotic year of 2020.

First exposure to opera was a Bugs Bunny cartoon. I'll never forget Elmer Fudd chasing Bugs and singing "Kill the Wabbit"!!

Online learning pre Med learning with this in the background is the peace and love I have been searching for. Thanks. “Respect” , as we Sicilians say.

Благодаря за това, което правите в тези времена на изолираност и липса на жива музика. С обич от България!

music...no its food for the soul ! What an incredible gift G-d gave to the composers and music directors

10 - 0:00 9 - 4:48 8 - 8:40 7- 13:20 6 - 17:52 5 - 21:01 4 - 23:48 3 - 26:50 2 - 28:59 1 - 32:05

This music makes me feel like a misunderstood rebel. Nobody gets why I like it. But how could I not? It's so beautiful

Modern death metal-head here! I've been fascinated about scream singing for years and took me a while to realise that "well, there must be some way to make your body produce those sounds" also applies here, and it's so easy to sleep on it instead of trying to get into it and enjoy music while discovering somethig amazing. This seems like a great starting point for listening to the genre, thanks a lot for it. If someone can suggest me some other songs to check out, I gladly will.

Pavarotti has something special in his unic voice... ❤️

merci merci pour ce moment d'évasion... vraiment on se sent porté loin très loin avec ces airs exceptionnels ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Esto es musica,tengo 15 años y me gusta esto y no hay muchas personas de mi edad q le guste esto que si es arte💜

I think many of us could be recommending all night, but here I suggest a couple. I promise not to mention "La forza del ..." E lucevan le stelle (Tosca, Puccini) Che Gelida Manina (La bohème) Vesti la giubba (Pagliaccio, Leoncavallo) Si, pel ciel (Otello, Verdi) Signore, ascolta "Liu aria" o non piangere, liù (Turandot, Puccini)

For those who haven't heard yet, google up Mario Lanza: Nessun Dorma. Happy listening.

How fitting to conclude with Maria Callas.

Truly grateful for your efforts!!! Thank you! (It's so difficult, almost impossible!, to choose one "favourite " in between all these masterpieces.. but the " Flower Duet" speaks to my heart the most.. :) )

What a beautiful set of masterpieces! It's so hard to say which are better than others, but this is a great set of opera songs. Thanks for sharing!

My favorite from this particular list is #8 Un Bel Di Vedremo - from Madame Butterfly - featuring Maria Callas. I love how it builds to such an incredible level of painful drama. Thank you for this treat

So so glad you used Sabine and Marianne for the Flower Duet, the best version by far

Splendid collection of arias, magnificent! Thanks for sharing! Best to you.

All are beautiful picks! Will listen time and again!!! Thanks for your choices!

I am slain by the beauty of this music. Thank you.