Even though virtually everyone believes that it is the most beautiful of all musical genres, and even though we are not surprised or disappointed when scientists suggest that listening to the oeuvres of the great composers can improve our health and intelligence, many of us are put off by classical music. A few years ago, I believed I was already too old to start learning about classical music. "There is too much of it!", I thought. "I wouldn't know where to begin!" But I realized that I probably already know quite a lot. And it's true. Through movies and television, we are all acquainted with a surprising amount of operatic music. Listen to the following 24 beautifully sung arias, and you'll see that not only do you know a lot of opera already, but you may actually love it!!
