OperAria – Review
App Type: Uncategorized
Our rating: 
By: People And Dream
Version #: 1.0
Date Released: 2011-05-19
Developer:
Price: 0.99
User Rating:
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Despite the iPhone being a cutting-edge gadget considered to be having such a profound effect on people that they can no longer tell left from right without one, it can also serve as a tool of cultural enrichment. This is precisely what it does with OperAria, an app that contains over 100 of the most recognisable Aria accompaniments to some of the world’s most famous operas.
OperAria is, in effect, an iTunes library designed specifically for opera music. Its interface is not as smooth as that of your default iTouch music player, with the screen sometimes scrolling when you try to press a button, and choosing to play a song can be a bit fiddly. But these interface niggles are quickly brushed aside as you realise that at your fingertips you have access to the legendary voices of the likes of Pavarotti, Stich-Randall and Jose Carreras, and arias to such timeless operas as Don Giovanni, Carmen and Faust.
OperAria has a selection of pre-loaded playlists to help you decide on what kind of arias you want to listen to. Feeling melancholy? Then listen to the Sorrowful love melodies. Or, if you’re not one for wallowing in self-pity, listen to the ‘Lovely soprano’ playlist which should lift anyone’s spirits. As a music fan, I was particularly excited by the ‘Aria in the movies’ playlist, though it would’ve been helpful to know what movies the songs came from, as all these no doubt wonderful Italian words mean nothing to me; I know, I’m an uncultured pig.
Additional features in OperAria include the option to share your refined musical tastee on Twitter and Facebook, and you can also look at the details of each song; the character that’s singing it, where and when it was recorded, and who sung it in what voice type (I’m sure that most opera enthusiasts will be able to know their tenor from their contralto by ear, but it’s handy for a beginner like me).
OperAria is a high-value app for anyone interested in opera, or even anyone who just wants to immerse themselves in some truly beautiful music. While the interface can be a bit fiddly, this is easily compensated for by the fact that you get over 100 classic songs for a mere $2.99. I’ll happily wager that you won’t find that kind of value for money on iTunes or anywhere else. A great app for opera enthusiasts and beginners alike.
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Quick Take
Value:High.
Would I Buy Again:Yes.
Learning Curve:Medium ? takes a while to get used to the interface.
Who Is It For:Opera enthusiasts, or those looking for a hit of high culture.
What I Like:A great selection of great music.
What I Don't Like:Slightly clumsy interface.
Final Statement:You don't need to be a snob to appreciate the music on offer here.
OperaAria is an application which plays the sweetest arias from famous operas.
- These are recordings of performances by world-famous singers, such as Luciano Pavarotti,
Placido Domingo, Maria Callas, Jose Carreras, and Fritz Wunderlich etc.
- You can easily find songs like the touching aria featured in “Opera Star” and the beautiful aria
heard in “The Shawshank Redemption”, and compile a play list.
- Opera plot synopses and information on the aria being played are provided so you can enjoy
the songs in depth.
- More than 100 songs are carefully selected from among the 100 excellent performance
albums.
- Large file sizes with minimum compression to keep the high quality of the music
(We recommend that you download the application from PC iTunes due to the file sizes.)
Major features
- You can arrange a number of songs on a playlist and play them grouped together
- Song info: composer, year of production, singer, and opera plot etc.
** Folder (play list) creation **
1. Click the Music Setup icon at the bottom of the screen
2. Click the folder adding icon at the bottom of the screen
3. Input a folder name
4. Click List in the created folder (List icon is on the right side of the folder)
5. Click the setup icon at the bottom of the folder list screen
6. Click the songs you want to play from the list
**How to use Folder (playlist)**
- You can delete/edit the default folder (sweet love arias, and sad love arias etc.)
- Select a number of folder select boxes, and all the songs in those folders will be played.
- If you untick a folder, all songs will be played except for those in that folder.
- You can enjoy these arias even when you are using other apllications. (Unless the other
application blocks playing music.)
Screenshots
Article By Robert Zak
I'm an up-and-coming freelance writer (or so I like to think) specialising in film, apps and gaming. Aside from writing app reviews on what sometimes feels like a mass scale, I've also contributed work to The Independent and IGN.com, and am on the writing team of the popular Lifestyle blog, WhatCulture.com. Like what you see? Follow me on Twitter @Rob_Zed and get in touch!
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