Best Aria ever written

That's the Letter Duet between Susanna and the Countess.

Don't believe liking those kinds of opera arias qualifies as emo-ness, they're formidable compositions and that's why people enjoy them. Those two are gorgeous. Verdi and the Verists (Leoncavallo, Mascagni, Giordano, Catalani, Puccini, Cilea...) were gods of melody. I hate people who call them inferior and merely crowd-pleasing. They're crowd pleasing cuz they're damn good.

If you've just gotten into opera, I recommend you get your hands on Callas' recording of Puccini's Tosca. If you're free some afternoon, take the libretto which comes with the CD (original text and translation) and listen to the whole thing while reading it. You'll thank me later.

A lot of people wrote "glitter and be gay" and although I love glitter and be gay, I don't know if it counts as an aria...I mean, it's more of a musical than an operetta.

I think Bernstein is great, but i don't think he's the best composer ever. I mean, he just can't compare to people like Wagner and Puccini.

I think Nessun Dorma may be the best aria. I know it's a cliche answer, but i really don't think nessun dorma is overrated.

Also, Liu's aria from the beginning of Turandot.

Originally Posted by Dan Gilbert

A lot of people wrote "glitter and be gay" and
I think Bernstein is great, but i don't think he's the best composer ever. I mean, he just can't compare to people like Wagner and Puccini.

Even if he wasn't the best, he is one of the most innovative. (But, I think he's the best)

Nessun Dorma by Puccini. Or Song to the Moon from Rusalka, or...hehe..O mio Babino caro

"Martern aller Arten" from Mozart's opera Die Entführung aus dem Serail Magnificent!

I suppose you could argue for any number of Mozart's arias.

I dont want to reply becuase I cant decide!! but.....
I think this one is over looked:

Donizetti: La Fille Du Régiment - Ah! Mes Amis...Pour Mon Âme

There are so many more that I love and think are amazing, many I would love to do one day! I just had to throw this one out there.

This is my kinda thread!! haha!

Definitely and by far "Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix" from Saint-Saens' Samson and Delilah.

YouTube - Placido Domingo Olga Borodina 'Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix'

Dvorak's 'Song to the moon' from Rusalka is another candidate.

o yea!
DVORAK's - 'Song to the moon'

see I told you, i just cant decide!

Dvorak song to the moon almost brings me to tears when leontyne price sang it...