Yes, children have a natural love for opera. I make that statement confidently because I’ve never seen it fail. When exposed to staged music dramas of appropriate lengths (two to three hours) with costumes, a modest amount of action, and an actual band or orchestra, … Read more
Verdi, Caro nome (from Rigoletto) Caro nome translates as “dear name.” Unfortunately, the dear name that Gilda knows at this point in Act I of Verdi’s opera Rigoletto (1851) is a false one. Gilda, daughter of the court jester Rigoletto, thinks she has just fallen … Read more
Puccini, Vissi d’arte (from Tosca) Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924) can claim several operas as being among the most frequently performed, La Bohème in particular. Within his operas are several arias that are among the most famous, Nessun dorma from Turandot in particular. Vissi d’arte from Tosca qualifies on both counts … Read more
Handel, Ombra mai fu (from Xerxes) Most everyone knows Handel’s Messiah, but Handel was primarily an opera composer. Oratorios followed the operatic style while omitting the staging in deference to Lent. The opera Xerxes (Serse) was written in 1738. It had little success, but the aria … Read more
Strauss, “Und du wirst mein Gebieter sein” from Arabella Back in college, my conducting professor gave me a small conducting role in the University’s production of Arabella. It was offstage and had something to do with keeping the ensemble together. It lasted about 15 seconds and, … Read more
Monteverdi, Moresca from L’Orfeo We have discussed the opera L’Orfeo many times on this site, in particular as the starting point for Discovering Music: 300 Years of Interaction in Western Music, Arts, History, and Culture. It’s also the starting point for opera as a genre. And you can find … Read more
Delibes, Flower Duet (from Lakmé) The opera Lakmé by Leo Delibes (1836-1891) follows many of the trends popular at the time it was written (premiered in 1883). The exoticism of the East had captured the imagination of the Western public a century or two earlier. Chinoiserie, the … Read more
Verdi, Va’ pensiero Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Nabucco premiered in 1842 when Verdi was not yet 30 years old. It would establish Verdi’s fame as an opera composer at a time when his own life was filled with loss and despair. The drama centers around King Nabucco (Nebuchadnezzar) … Read more
Puccini, O mio babbino caro This week we venture into opera with a popular aria “O mio babbino caro” from Puccini’s one-act comedy Gianni Schicchi. If you don’t know the opera, you may still recognize the tune from television ads or movies. We have had 143 … Read more
Smetana: The Bartered Bride Overture Wake up! Last week’s lullaby is over and it’s time for more spirited fare. This coming week finds Professor Carol in Prague for the start of her boat tour down the Elbe for Smithsonian Journeys. It’s such tough duty that … Read more