Rimsky-Korsakov’s “The Golden Cockerel” has never been a major fixture of the operatic canon. And yet the opera, which first premiered on Oct. 7, 1909, is slowly finding its way into more and more opera houses in recent times. The opera is based on Pushkin’s 1834 poem, “The Tale of the Golden Cockerel” and was completed in 1907. Rimsky-Korsakov had {…}
“Les Pecheurs de Perles” is an opera composed by Georges Bizet, with the libretto written by Eugene Cormon and Michel Carre. Premiering on September 30, 1863, Bizet was only 24 years old when the curtain first rose. Despite having written previous operas, such as “Le docteur Miracle,” and having won the Prix de Rome scholarship to develop his skills in {…}
Premiering on September 30, 1791, “Die Zauberflöte,” or “The Magic Flute” in English, is the last of the works composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, barring his unfinished Requiem. Much like an operetta, “Die Zaubeflöte” is a singspiel, which has spoken dialogue between musical numbers and arias. Working with German librettist Emanuel Shikaneder, the opera contains a vast number of influences, {…}
George Gershwin’s folk opera “Porgy and Bess” has proven itself a piece of American history, having withstood the controversy it garnered for its portrayal of the African American community in Charlestown, South Carolina. Premiering on September 30th 1935, “Porgy and Bess” was noted for its casting of classically-trained African-American singers rather than having actors in blackface. While many felt the {…}
Gaetano Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor” is one of the most famous operas in the bel canto repertoire, a style which emphasized the technique and beauty with which an actor sang. Drawing on a wild, Scottish setting and a story full of romance and insanity, “Lucia di Lammermoor” captivated the hearts of Romantic-era audiences. The opera had its world premiere on {…}
Das Rheingold is the first of Richard Wagner’s famous ‘Ring’ cycle and had its world premiere on Sept. 22, 1869. The libretto for the work was interestingly composed after the other three works in the cycle, though it was the first to be composed and performance of the tetralogy. “Das Rheingold” reveals the origin of the ring forged from the {…}
Samuel Barber’s “Antony and Cleopatra” was supposed to be an opera for the ages. But it was not to be. Commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera for the opening of its new house at Lincoln Center, the opera’s Sept. 16, 1966, world premiere is widely remembered as a colossal failure, not only because the Franco Zeffirelli production was filled with one {…}
Stravinsky wrote a number of operas, but none is more potent or famed than “A Rake’s Progress,” a Faustian tale with the simple moral that “the Devil finds work for idle hands.” The opera first premiered in Venice on Sept. 11, 1951, with Elisabeth Schwarzkopf as Anne Trulove. It came to the US in 1953. Short Plot Summary At the {…}
Mozart’s “La Clemenza di Tito” was composed and premiered on Sept. 6, 1791, around the time when he also finished his final opera “Die Zauberflöte,” before passing away at the age of 35. “La Clemenza di Tito” was produced to celebrate Leopold II’s coronation as King of Bohemia, an event which sought to ease tensions in the country between the {…}
Philip Glass’ operas have had unique places in the standard repertoire, present, but not quite firmly established in the canon of most opera houses. His work “Satyagraha” has recently seen its profile increase quite prominently since its debut on Sept. 5, 1980, as the opera was featured prominently as part of the Metropolitan Opera’s Live in HD series. The entire {…}
Premiering on August 28, 1850, Richard Wagner’s ‘Lohengrin’ is steeped in medieval Christian and Germanic folklore. This tale, drawing upon the tradition of the Holy Grail, enamored King Ludwig II of Bavaria, who would give Wagner the patronage to fund the construction of the Richard-Wagner-Festpielhaus. Short summary: At a gathering of the Germanic clans held in Brabant, King Henry the {…}