Which opera aria should I choose?

Question

I am an opera singer and have been asked to sing one aria at the opening of my local 'Party in the Park' after the mayors speech. This event tends to attract a variety of people but mainly people who come to chill for the day and get drunk in the sun watching different bands play! Not a classical concert! What opera aria should I choose to sing, think it should be one people have heard of, but not O Mio Babbino Caro as sang that one last year! Hope someone can help

Answer 1

"Glitter and Be g*y" from Candide.  Hope you have a good Eb above high C!  Yes - the would qualify as opera - it certainly bridges opera and musical theater!

Answer 2

Pagliacci or something from Carmen. those are my favorites.

Answer 3

What arias do you know? Something in English might be nice, like "Laurie's Song" from The Tender Land or "Monica's Waltz" from The Medium, or even "Fair Robin I Love" from Tartuffe.

Mozart is always good, but something "peppy" like Batti, batti" might be better for this kind of event than, say, "Deh vieni non tardar".

As an alternative, how about something like "Art is calling for me" (also known as "I want to be a Prima Donna") or something from musical theatre like "I could have danced all night" from My Fair Lady, or Gilbert and Sullivan like "Poor wandr'ing one" from Pirates of Penzance.

Answer 4

Quando men vo  - La Boheme- Puccini