Most of the operatic classics have been constructed on recurring archetypes. Oftentimes, these tropes are thematic. Nobility, magic, love, lust, vengeance. You know them, even if you aren’t always aware of them. But oftentimes they are also emphasized through specific musical structures. The tenor is often the hero and the lower-voiced character is more sinister. Or, there is always a {…}
Verdi’s “Ernani” is one of the composer’s most recognized works from his early period. The opera had its first performance on March 9, 1844 and has managed to hold the stage since thanks to its varied melodic qualities for the four lead characters. In the context of Verdi’s oeuvre, this work is also the first to feature the composer at {…}
Bizet’s “Carmen” had its world premiere on March 3, 1875 and is now one of the most renowned in the canon and even popular culture. But many people don’t know that it didn’t actually start that way. It was anything but a smashing success. So here is a challenging trivia quiz with some other nuggets about the world’s most famous {…}
Few sopranos in the second half of the 20th century have had as enduring a legacy as Renata Scotto. Born on Feb. 24, 1934, she enjoyed a career as a top soprano before turning to directing and teaching. Few artists can truly claim as diverse a portfolio as the diva. In honor of her birthday, here is a trivia quiz {…}
Renée Fleming is arguably one of the most famous singers on the planet. The soprano, born on Valentine’s Day has transcended the opera world, making herself a career on movie soundtracks, and most recently, on the Broadway stage. In celebrating Fleming, here is a trivia quiz sure to tickle even the greatest fans of her soprano or shed some new {…}
Love, lust, passion, excitement! No, we’re not talking about your planned Valentine’s Day festivities, but opera! Opera is filled with some of the most passionate love stories ever written, and these stories are set to the most heart-wrenching music known to humankind. If you’re still looking for that special someone to share Valentine’s Day with, we’ve devised this quiz just {…}
February 3 marks the anniversary of the world premiere of “La Liberazione di Ruggiero,” the first opera composed by a woman, Francesca Caccini. History shows us that there have been a number of women composers in opera, and recent decades have seen that number increase. And yet, many still do not know about the women composers and their works. So {…}
Mozart is arguably the world’s most renowned composer. He created a plethora of amazing works of classical music in a rather short time, dying well before his 40th birthday. Mozart’s operas are a major touchstone of his compositional legacy and are undeniably among the most studied and loved of his works. Their history is full of fascinating patterns and trivia. {…}
Feeling gloomy today? Or perhaps on the ultimate high? It’s all very operatic. The world of this famed art form is full of intense emotions with major characters taking painstaking time to delineate what they are feeling and how intensely. These powerful solo are amazing ways to connect with each of us on a truly immersive and visceral level, allowing {…}
They say art reflects life and so often the experiences we engage with in artistic form are those that help to shape our world view. The beauty of art is how it is able to traverse a wide range of perspectives, giving us not only different ways of seeing humanity, but also different ways to feel about it. Bel Canto {…}
Happy New Year! This is a time of excitement, introspection, and probably a dose of anxiety as we all figure out how we might want to live this next chapter in our lives. There are so many directions our lives can take at a given moment with our priorities constantly shifting. So here’s an opera quiz where you can see {…}