| Opera dates as far back as the 16th century, but | | | | on to become a prodigy in the field of opera. He |
| it has by no means shown signs of waning even | | | | has even outdone the great Pavarotti himself by |
| now in the 21st century. Proof of this are the | | | | selling a record 60 million albums worldwide, |
| luminaries of this genre of classical music, | | | | cementing his place as the best-selling tenor in the |
| respected names all in this list of opera singers | | | | world to date. |
| past and present. | | | | Charlotte Church (born 1986) |
| Maria Callas (born 1923-died 1977) | | | | Taking opera to the MTV generation, young |
| Dubbed "La Divina" for her outstanding musical | | | | Welsh soprano Charlotte Church gained |
| and thespic talents, Maria Callas was the most | | | | widespread popularity in the nineties. At only the |
| acclaimed opera singer of her time and one of the | | | | very young age of 12, she had wowed the entire |
| greatest artists of the 20th century. Born in New | | | | world with her extraordinary vocal prowess. At |
| York, this Greek soprano's higly-praised career | | | | the moment though, she has been embarking on |
| was somewhat marred by her tragic life, most | | | | a moderately successful career in pop music, as |
| notably her controversial love affair with millionaire | | | | well as stints as an actress and talk show host. |
| shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis. Nonetheless, | | | | But longtime fans are no doubt eagerly awaiting |
| her fans choose to remember her as the | | | | her return to her operatic roots. |
| consummate diva and one of the finest voices in | | | | Josh Groban (born 1981) |
| classical music. | | | | A U.S.-born singer of Polish-Russian and Norwegian |
| Luciano Pavarotti (born 1935-died 2007) | | | | parentage, Josh Groban has a voice that defies |
| Perhaps no other name is more associated with | | | | qualification. Some have referred to him as a |
| modern opera than that of legendary Italian tenor | | | | tenor, while others still have declared him a |
| Luciano Pavarotti. World famous as one-third of | | | | baritone. Either way, this heartthrob of |
| the renowned "Three Tenors" (along with Placido | | | | contemporary opera possesses a unique and |
| Domingo and Jose Carreras), he was one of the | | | | versatile vocal range that lends itself well to both |
| most celebrated and successful opera singers of | | | | mainstream and classical music. He has had the |
| all time, bringing opera out into the mainstream | | | | privilege of performing with the current |
| consciousness. Pavarotti had also crossed the | | | | generation's most notable opera singers, such as |
| generational bridge between classical and | | | | Andrea Bocelli and Charlotte Church. |
| contemporary music through a series of benefit | | | | As evidenced by this list of opera singers, the |
| concerts performed alongside such diverse pop | | | | revered masters of the field shall forever be |
| music artists as Bono, Elton John, Sting, and the | | | | remembered, while the next generation of |
| Spice Girls. | | | | classical vocalists is assured. As the torch is |
| Andrea Bocelli (born 1958) | | | | passed on, this great musical art form has thrived |
| Blinded at the age of 12, young Andrea Bocelli | | | | on and shall continue to persist down through the |
| battled adversity with music and has since went | | | | ages. |