How does one define a "rock opera" exactly? Well, I consider a "rock opera" to be something that isn't necessarily opera, but still involves more singing than speaking. Here are a few rock operas that are my personal favorites.
Before I begin, however, a few informative tidbits: Album recordings for all the shows mentioned in the following article are quite easily available; you can find them at pretty much any music retailer (iTunes, Amazon, etc.). In addition, all film versions mentioned should also be easily available for purchase or rent via the vendor of your choice. Visit Ticketmaster's Broadway page to purchase tickets to the productions that are currently running on Broadway in New York City, or click here to use Ticketmaster to find a show near you. My fellow Chicagoland residents can also visit Broadway In Chicago to find out the latest information about any Broadway productions that are in town, as well as those coming up.
Jesus Christ Superstar (composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Tim Rice)
A chronicle of the last days of Jesus Christ, and the people around him. It particularly illustrates the conflict between Jesus and Judas, the disciple who betrayed him. This is a staple production for local churches and/or community theatre groups around the Easter holiday, so keep an eye out for performances in your area! (It's a great way to have a fun night of theatre on the cheap and/or without the additional travel expense.) The show has also been adapted to film a few times, including the classic 1973 version starring Ted Neely and Yvonne Elliman, as well as an Australian film production from 2000 that gives the play somewhat of a modern touch.
Standout numbers: "I Don't Know How To Love Him", "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Hosanna", "Gesthemane (I Only Want To Say)" , “Damned for All Time / Blood Money”
The Phantom of the Opera (composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe)
This recently beat the record previously held by "Cats" as the longest running Broadway musical of all time; it premiered in London in 1986 and on Broadway in 1988. The story is based on the early 20th century novel written by Gaston Leroux; it involves a promising young opera singer, Christine Daaé, and her mysterious tutor, a musical genius who dwells below the famous Paris Opera House, ostracized by conventional society because of his disfigured face. The Phantom harbors a secret love for Christine, and when another potential suitor enters Christine's life, havoc ensues upon the employees of the Opera House.
The original cast from 1988 featured Michael Crawford as the Phantom, and Sarah Brightman (who was Webber's wife at the time) as Christine. The musical was also famously made into a film in 2004, starring Gerard Butler as the Phantom and Emmy Rossum as Christine. There is now even a spectacle based on the show at the Venetian in Las Vegas, and a theatrical sequel, "Love Never Dies", is due to premiere on Broadway towards the end of 2010.
Standout numbers: "Think of Me", "The Music of the Night", "The Phantom of the Opera", "All I Ask of You", "The Point of No Return".
Les Misérables (composed by Claude-Michel Schönberg, libretto by Alain Boublil, and lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer)
A sung-through musical based on the Victor Hugo novel of the same name. Set in France as the country struggles to come out from under the thumb of Napoleon, it tells the tale of the life of Jean Valjean, and those people whose lives he touches. Jean Valjean is originally sent to prison for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister and her starving family. Upon his ultimate release, he finds himself still condemned by society, and spends the rest of the play evading police and trying to make a good name for himself. Along the way, he encounters many people who, like himself, are living in a constant fight to do what they believe is the right thing in life -- and this is the main message of the work.
“Les Mis”, as it is colloquially known, has received particular notoriety lately due to the fact that UK singer Susan Boyle has been catapulted to fame through her performance of "I Dreamed A Dream", one of this classic rock opera’s standout numbers.
Other standout numbers: "Castle on a Cloud", "Master of the House", "Lovely Ladies", "Bring Him Home", "Stars", "On My Own", "Do You Hear The People Sing", "A Little Fall of Rain".
Rent (music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson)
A story of a group of young artist friends relying on one another to make ends meet in New York City. The story is actually a retelling of Puccini’s opera “La Bohème”, modernized to tackle the issues of sexuality, friendship, love, and gender identity – and in particular, the very real threat that is HIV.
“Rent” was Larson’s first major Broadway success, but unfortunately, he passed away (although not due to HIV) before he was able to witness the full extent of its success. In 2005, it was also made into a film that featured most of the original Broadway cast, including Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel, who originally met while performing together in this show, and are now married and recently had their first child.
Standout numbers: "Seasons of Love", "One Song Glory", "Today 4 U", "Light My Candle", "The Tango Maureen", "La Vie Bohème", "Out Tonight", "Take Me or Leave Me", "No Day But Today".
This is just a short list to get you started. There are many others out there, including quite a few more composed by Andrew Lloyd-Webber, so explore and find out which ones you like the best for yourself!
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