Opera Favorites: E-Z Play Today Volume 195 (E-Z Play Today, 195)

Very enjoyable opera classics. Love the easy play piano for such wonderful music.

This is a selection of well known operatic themes. Do not mistake these as being "complete" songs, as the arrangements are simplified and truncated. These songs are a good addition for a musician that wants a "touch" of operatic music in their repertoire, but do not consider them as "serious" opera music. As with all Hal Leonard song books, care must be taken to see if it duplicates (too many) songs you might have in other song books. (My parents were opera fans, and often played "albums" of opera music in our home as I was growing up. While I never reached a level of appreciation of opera where I'd actually pay to attend a performance, I do enjoy playing some of the songs as a reminder of my childhood.)Some who have bought song books in the "EZ Play Today" notation style, express disappointment. So, it is important to understand exactly what the EZ Play Today style books are. These books are set up using "lead sheet" notation style, where the melody is written in a treble clef staff, with chord notations above the staff. For most "pop" songs, this is an efficient way to display the music, as bass accompaniment is easily "faked." The songs are transposed into the keys of C, F, or G (or the related minor keys of Am, Dm, or Em). All sharps/flats are notated as "accidental" since there is no "key signature" used on the staff. This reflects the "beginner" level of the music.I note that Hal Leonard also publishes some "easy (insert decade) fake books." That series of books transpose all songs into the Key of C. The plus is that the "Easy Fake Book" series have more of the character of the original compositions -- but are still arranged as "easy piano" level. Unfortnately, the "all in key of C" approach puts some songs in an awkward (musically) range. (It would have been better to follow the C, F, G transposition of the EZ Play Today books.)Generally, I like the EZPlay Today format music, as it's quick to read and the music is arranged in an "easy piano" style. While my level of musical skill is well above the skill level for these arrangements, this format is great for my "older person" vision ... with large notes. On the other hand, the arrangements are sometimes a little too simplified, losing some of the nuances in the music. The EZ Play Today format books are probably ideal for the beginning musician. I admit that there are times when I eventually get sheet music with more sophisticated arrangements of some songs, because of the limitations of this format can sometimes leave one wishing for a little more.... However, for a great many songs, the arrangements are perfectly acceptable for getting the basic melody of particular songs that, for me, aren't worth the effort to learn in a more sophisticated arrangement.As an aside, I wish song books (from all publishers) had the complete table of contents available in their online listings.

Popular opera melodies, often found in cartoons and commercials ( like "no more rice crispies!"). Arrangements are so, so simple, even with letters printed on the notes.

I love the simple scores which invite you to play opera as a learner.

excellent