Opera

 

opera
Scene from Harrison Birtwistle’s “The Minotaur”

What is Opera?

History of Opera

What is a Librettist?

A List of 50 Great Operas

What is an Aria?

What is a Recitative?

Aside: My Master’s degree was focused on the music of Carl Orff, specifically his music for children. I know you’ve heard the selection in this video by Orff.

 

Full Operas

Instructor note – Links for these selections seem to change frequently. Rather than updating these links each semester, which may or may not be utilized by students, I have eliminated some links. Feel free to perform a search online to find a working link.

orfeo
“L’Orfeo”

  Monteverdi

   L’Orfeo  – History, background,  and synopsis

  Mozart

"Don Giovanni"
“Don Giovanni”

   Don Giovanni  – Synopsis

   Marriage of Figaro  – Synopsis

   The Magic Flute   –  Synopsis – Perform a search online

aida
“Aida”

  Verdi

   Aida  –  Synopsis – perform a search online

   La Traviata  –    Synopsis

  Puccini

   La Boehme  –  Synopsis

   Madame Butterfly  – Synopsis

 Wagner

Das Rheingold  –  Synopsis

"Das Rheingold"
“Das Rheingold”

Bizet

Carmen  –  Synopsis

60 Modern Operas to Consider