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A Brief History of Opera

Opera on a Grand Scale: Verdi and Wagner

Time period: Mid-late 1800s
Major Composers: Giuseppe Verdi, Richard Wagner

Background:
During his lifetime, Giuseppe Verdi dominated the opera scene in Italy. At a memorial a month after his funeral, thousands of people filled the streets of Milan and sang the most famous of his choruses, "Va, pensiero" from his opera Nabucco. In his operas, more was demanded of the lead performers, orchestra, and chorus, both musically and dramatically. Verdi's La traviata and Rigoletto are among the most popular operatic works performed today. Verdi is known for developing the style of grand opera, which is characterized by large casts, stunning sets, beautiful costumes, and high drama. Verdi's Aida -- set in ancient Egypt and including a large processional scene in which hundreds of singers, dancers, and animals share the stage -- is one example of grand opera.

Born in Germany, Richard Wagner was an innovator who created large-scale operatic works that dramatize the legends and mythology of Nordic and Germanic culture. Wagner's operas are lengthy productions that challenge singers, as they require not only a sizable vocal range but also the ability to project over a large orchestra. His operas have attracted a strong fan base, with opera lovers traveling the world to see his complete Ring Cycle. Comprised of four distinct operas -- Das Rheingold, Die Walküre, Siegfried, and Götterdämmerung – The Ring Cycle is performed over several evenings.

Listen to "Libiamo" from Verdi's La traviata, featuring William Burden as Alfredo, Maureen O'Flynn as Violetta, the Opera Company of Philadelphia Chorus with Donald Nally, Chorus Master and the Opera Company of Philadelphia Orchestra, conducted by Corrado Rovaris. Excerpt courtesy of Opera Company of Philadelphia.

Listen to audio sample  Opera America Sample: "Libiamo"

 

Man embracing woman in pieta-like position Cocktail party scene, with one character in jester's hat, another in a seat on a couch smoking a cigar

Placido Domingo as Siegmund and Michelle DeYoung as Sieglinde in Lyric Opera of Chicago's 2005 production of Wagner's Die Walküre. Photo by Dan Rest and courtesy of Lyric Opera of Chicago.

  

Stephen Kechulius as Rigoletto and Raúl Hernández as the Duke in Seattle Opera's 2004 production of Verdi's Rigoletto. Photo by Rozarii Lynch and courtesy of Seattle Opera.

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