This week, we follow Carmen down a very different alley — the seductive “Seguidilla” from Bizet’s Carmen. Sung just after her arrest, it’s flirty, cunning, and calculated, as she tempts Don José into untying more than just her hands. We sip Cava, Albariño, and Rioja — because it’s set in Spain (even if the opera’s in French, we know, we know) — and ask: is she seducing him… or just singing him stupid?This episode wraps up our first series of Aria Listening? — thanks for coming along for the ride! We’ve sipped, ranted, swooned, and occasionally spiralled… and we’re already plotting more arias for next time. Think duets, trios, ensembles — we’re open to suggestions. As always, it’s all about listening to great opera, and having a bloody good time doing it. Stay tuned.

Disclaimer: Music excerpts are used for commentary and educational purposes. All rights remain with the original creators. If you believe any content infringes your rights, please contact us and we’ll happily address it.

This week we plunge into the low notes (and low morals) of Osmin’s “O, wie will ich triumphieren” from Mozart’s Die Entführung aus dem Serail. It’s all revenge fantasies, rapid-fire runs, and growling bottom Fs — classic Mozart with a malicious grin.

We pair it with Austrian Grüner Veltliner and debate whether Osmin is funny, frightening, or just vocally sadistic… and whether any bass can actually pull it off.

Disclaimer: Music excerpts are used for commentary and educational purposes. All rights remain with the original creators. If you believe any content infringes your rights, please contact us and we’ll happily address it.

This week, it’s all heart and velvet as we turn to “Voce di donna” from Ponchielli’s La Gioconda.

La Cieca may be blind, but she sees straight into the soul with one of the great mezzo arias — gentle, generous, and rich with feeling.

We explore the beauty of restraint, the power of simplicity, and which singer truly lets the voice speak for itself.

Disclaimer: Music excerpts are used for commentary and educational purposes. All rights remain with the original creators. If you believe any content infringes your rights, please contact us and we’ll happily address it.