What are some of the more well known classical/opera songs or compositions

[Arkitech]

I'm looking to get into classical music, so I'm searching for some of the more popular compositions to begin with.

Flight of the bumblebee, 1812 overture, etc.

thanks for any suggestions

 

[tm37]

Massa in the cold cold groung!

 

[luvya]

well, beethoven's symphonies is a good way to get starting.

 

[luvya]

bizet-carmen
mozart-magic flute
any of wagner opera.
Tchaikovsky-the nutcraker.

 

[S0me1X]

I think the most recognizable tune/motif is the first four notes of Beethoven's 5th Symphony.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Most people have heard:

Beethoven - Symphony #5 and #9, Moonlight Sonata, Fur Elise
Pachelbel - Canon in D
Bach - Tocata and Fugue in D Minor
Grieg - Peer Gynt (especially the 4th movement)
Vivaldi - The Four Seasons
Brahms - Hungarian Dance #1
Bizet - Carmen
Ravel - Bolero
Motzart - Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
Wagner - Ride of the Valkeries
Stravinsky - Firebird Suite
Orff - Carmina Burana
Tchaikovsky - 1812 Overture, The Nutcracker
Handel - Messiah
Chopin - Fantasy Impromptu in C# minor

There are thousands more, but those are excellent, if a trifle overplayed. BTW, you might really get a lot out of this site:

http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/classical/classical.html

PM me if you want, I have a close to 2k classical/opera/instrumental mp3's...I'm sure I could find a way to expose you to some, purely for education purposes of course.