Opera populaire.

Few subjects are as contentious in the world of opera as who sings the best version of a beloved aria. Music is often judged by highly specific and subjective criteria, and this is especially acute within classical music, where a musician’s ears are fine-tuned like scientific instruments and emotional investment in particular composers, works or songs often runs extremely deep. For instance: In college I used to refer to Chopin as my dead Polish composer boyfriend. I’m just sayin’. (Lutosławski and I were just friends. )

Recently an ad here has been running a slick instrumental version of Puccini’s ‘Un Bel Di’, probably the best-known piece from Madama Butterfly . I have no idea what the ad is for, because my eyes usually glaze over the instant I recognize the music. This ad may not compel me to buy whatever product it’s pushing, but it sure has compelled me to look up ‘Un Bel Di’ on YouTube and listen obsessively. Here is one of the very best versions I’ve ever heard (and that’s saying something):

This is such a joyous, soaring song, so full of hope and promise, and that makes the truth of what will eventually happen to Cio-cio san all the more devastating. I think this tension between the beauty of the song and the ugliness of the reality in the opera is partly what gives ‘Un Bel Di’ its impact. Well, that and it’s got an exquisite melody. I’ve never heard a version quite as effortless as this one. She makes it seem so easy, but trust me, this song is anything but. In fact, I’m tired just thinking about it!