Romantic Opera

• Plot content: – Fairy tales – Historical (Royalty, Kings)– Based on Literature (Biblical, Shakespeare)– Verismo:The style is distinguished by realistic, sometimes

sordid or violent, depictions of contemporary everyday life, especially the life of the lower classes, rejecting the historical or mythical subjects of Romanticism.

• Libretto-’Story’ (text) of the opera• Recitative- a style of delivery in which a singer is allowed to

adopt the rhythms of ordinary speech • Aria- a self-contained piece for one voice usually very

emotionally expressive• Overture- the instrumental introduction to an opera

Opera

• Originally for Kings and Queens ($$)

• Written vernacular, sometimes translated

• Generally comprising of:– Two leads, male and female– 2 supporting roles (male, female)– Sometimes: Chorus, dancers, extras

• Cast members sing alone, or combine for duets, trios, etc….

Romantic Opera• Soprano- High female voice

– Coloratura (very high range, fast notes)– Lyric (graceful, charming voices)– Dramatic (Powerful, intense voices)

• Mezzo Soprano- Medium female voice• Alto-(rare in opera)- low female voice• Tenor- High male voice

– Lyric (bright, light voice)– Dramatic (Full, heroic voice)

• Baritone-medium male voice• Bass- low male voice

– Basso Buffo (comic roles)– Basso Profundo (extreme low range)

The Barber of Sevilleby Gioachino Rossini

•First story in the “Figaro Trilogy” by Pierre Beaumarchais• Premiered February 20, 1816 (poor reviews)•No. 5 on ‘Opera America’s list of most performed operas. •Opera Buffa in 2 acts and in Bel Canto style

•Bel Canto Style - singing which characteristically focuses on perfect evenness throughout the voice, skillful legato, a light upper register, tremendous agility and flexibility, and a certain lyric, "sweet" timbre. Operas of the style feature extensive and florid ornamentation, requiring much in the way of fast scales and cadenzas. Bel canto emphasizes technique rather than volume.

The Barber of Sevilleby Gioachino Rossini

• Characters:– Rosina, Bartolo's ward mezzo-soprano– Doctor Bartolo, Rosina's guardian bass– Count Almaviva, a local nobleman tenor– Figaro, the Barber of Seville baritone

• Synopsis: Set in Seville, Spain (17th C.)– Almaviva loves Rosina, Rosina loves Almaviva but

thinks he’s ‘Lindoro’– Bartolo loves and controls Rosina – Figaro helps Lindoro and Rosina trick Bartolo

Carmenby Georges Bizet

• Premiered March 3, 1875 in Paris, France

• Initial failure

• No 4 on ‘Opera America’s list of most performed operas

• Start of ‘Verismo’ – controversial

• In 4 Acts

Carmenby Georges Bizet

• Characters: – Carmen, A Gypsy Girl mezzo-soprano– Don José, Corporal of Dragoons tenor – Escamillo, Toreador bass-baritone– Micaëla, A Village Maiden soprano

• Synopsis: Set in Seville, Spain (1830)– Carmen wants what she doesn’t have, and sets her

sights on Michaela’s fiancé, Don Jose. – She successfully seduces him, then discards him– He kills her

HabaneraWhen will I love you? Good Lord, I don't know, Maybe never, maybe tomorrow. But not today, that's for sure. Love is a rebellious bird that nobody can tame, and you call him quite in vain if it suits him not to come. Nothing helps, neither threat nor prayer. One man talks well, the other keeps silent; it's the other one that I prefer. He never said anything, but I like his looks. Love! Love! Love! Love! Love is a Bohemian child, it has never, ever, known law; if you love me not, then I love you; if I love you, you'd best beware! The bird you thought you had caught beat its wings and flew away ... love stays away, you wait and wait; when least expected, there it is! All around you, swift, swift, it comes, goes, then it returns ... you think you hold it fast, it flees you think you're free, it holds you fast. Love! Love! Love! Love!

Pagliacciby Ruggero Leoncavallo

• Premiered on May 21, 1892 by Arturo Toscanini

• “One hit wonder”

• Prologue and two acts in verismo style

• No 4 on ‘Opera America’s list of

most performed operas

• Immediate success

• Play within a play

• “Sad clown” idea

Pagliacciby Ruggero Leoncavallo

• Characters:– Canio, head of the troupe (Pagliaccio) tenor – Nedda, Canio's wife,in love with Silvio (Colombina,

Pagliaccio's wife,in love with Arlecchino) soprano – Tonio, the fool (Taddeo) baritone– Beppe, actor (Arlecchino, Colombina's lover) tenor – Silvio, Nedda's lover baritone

• Synopsis: Set in Southern Italy, 1865– Nedda, cheating on Canio with Silvio, is planning to elope

when her plans are spoiled by Tonio– Canio catches someone sneaking out and is enraged, but

prepares for his performance– Losing control at the performance, Canio demands to know

the name of the lover, and kills the two of them

Vesti la GiubbaTo act! While out of my mind,I no longer know what I say,or what I do!And yet it's necessary... make an effort!Bah! Are you not a man?You are Pagliaccio!Put on your costume,powder your face.The people pay to be here, and they want to laugh.And if Harlequin shall steal your Columbine,laugh, Pagliaccio, so the crowd will cheer!Turn your distress and tears into jest,your pain and sobbing into a funny face - Ah!Laugh, Pagliaccio,at your broken love!Laugh at the grief that poisons your heart!