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Listen Like a Diva/Divo: Apple Music Playlists for Opera Lovers

  • Writer: Mike Bolton
    Mike Bolton
  • Apr 14
  • 2 min read



If you’ve ever wished for a portal into the golden age of opera—or a chance to fall in love with it all over again—consider this your invitation. I’ve spent the past few months curating a growing collection of Apple Music playlists that celebrate the drama, beauty, and vocal grandeur that define the operatic art form. These aren’t just greatest hits compilations. Each playlist is its own love letter to a voice, a style, or a sensibility.


At the heart of this project is a tribute to some of the legendary divas who shaped operatic history—and my own listening life. You’ll find playlists dedicated to the majestic Leonie Rysanek, the cool elegance of Régine Crespin, the radiant warmth of Leontyne Price, the passion of José Carreras, and more. These divas and divos didn’t just sing—they conjured worlds. Whether you’re rediscovering them or meeting them for the first time, these playlists offer a chance to bask in their brilliance.


But it’s not all about the divas (well, mostly, but not entirely). I’ve also built thematic journeys for more expansive listening. One playlist dives deep into the visceral world of Verismo, celebrating the raw emotion and gritty storytelling of composers like Mascagni, Giordano, and Cilea. Another offers an epic and wide-ranging survey of French Opera, tracing its evolution from the Baroque grandeur of Lully and Rameau to the Romantic flourishes of Massenet and the sensual modernism of Debussy and Poulenc.


Whether you're a seasoned opera fanatic or a curious newcomer looking for a way in, these playlists are crafted to surprise, move, and inspire. They're meant for late-night listening, morning rituals, kitchen dancing, long walks—or simply closing your eyes and letting the music take over.


I’ll be adding more in the coming weeks—including spotlight features on great singers of the past and present, curated arias for each voice type, and always including some lesser-known gems that deserve more love.


So, plug in your headphones, pour yourself a glass of something good, and let the curtain rise.




 
 
 

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