Mainly Mozart
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Week 8: Mainly Mozart 1. Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) was the last opera that Mozart composed in this German form of light opera composition that includes both singing and spoken dialogue. What is this form called? A: Singspiel A Singspiel, translating to a “sing-play” was a popular form of composing that came about in early 17th century Germany from plays and moving to 18th century opera works. Other works that Mozart wrote in this form include Bastien und Bastienne, Die Entführung aus dem Serail, and Der Schauspieldirektor. Mozart conducted the premiere of this opera, which happened almost a year before his death. Luciana Serra sings the Queen of the Night Aria: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFktfr1kmHc The Magic Flute debuted in 1932 and was last seen in 2017. 2. Known as the last of the Da Ponte operas, this opera takes place in Naples and sometimes is translated to “All Women Do It, or The School for Lovers.” What opera is it? A: Così fan tutte The penultimate opera of Mozart’s legacy, this opera premiered in 1790. Lorenzo da Ponte was the librettist for this opera, as well as The Marriage of Figaro and Don Giovanni. Fun fact: Mozart disliked prima donna Adriana Ferrarese del Bene, da Ponte's arrogant mistress for whom he created the role of Fiordiligi. Knowing her tendency to drop her chin on low notes and throw back her head on high ones, Mozart filled her showpiece aria "Come scoglio" with constant leaps from low to high and high to low in order to make Ferrarese's head "bob like a chicken" onstage. Corinne Winters sings “Come Scoglio” with The Royal Opera: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH4iQ9M7bDY Così Fan Tutte debuted on the Cincinnati Opera stage at the Zoo in 1963 and was last seen in 2007. 3. It is not uncommon for composers to be inspired by the same source material. This popular Mozart opera (which we all enjoyed last season) features some of the same beloved characters we would have met in Seville in the 2020 season. What opera is it? A: The Marriage of Figaro Mozart wrote this sequel to The Barber of Seville in 1786, however, Rossini’s Barber wasn’t written until 1816. This was because while Rossini has the bigger claim to Barber he wasn’t the first one to compose an opera on the subject material. In 1782, Giovanni Paisiello composed his own The Barber of Seville. This version is more romantic and less comedic than Rossini’s but still found success at the time. Joshua Bloom sings “Non più andrai” with Garsington Opera: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRNirc4fiqI The Marriage of Figaro debuted in 1956 and was last seen in 2019. 4. This opera is obviously a Cincinnati favorite, having been produced 11 different times. What opera is it? (Hint: the opera is titled after its leading baritone) A: Don Giovanni The full title being Don Giovanni, or the Rake Punished. The stories are based on Don Juan, which circulated in Spain in the 17th century. Fun facts about this opera is that it is the first opera to use a trombone in the orchestra and that in earlier versions the roles of the Commendatore and Masetto were played by the same person. Rodney Gilfry and Liliana Nikiteanu perform “La ci darem la mano”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJnJjpMdT3Y Don Giovanni debuted in 1930 and was last seen in 2013. 5. This opera is the only Mozart opera to have been performed just once at Cincinnati Opera debuting in 1922. Which opera is it? A: Die Entƒührung aus dem Serail (The Abduction from the Seraglio) This opera has some of Mozart’s most challenging work for singers. This was due to the fact that he knew whom the singers were going to be. Ludwig Fischer as the bass Osmin and Caterina Cavalieri as Konstanze, and as such, tailored the arias to their skills and range specifically. The work opened to great critical acclaim and financial success on July 16, 1782 at the Burgtheater in Vienna, and was repeatedly performed during Mozart’s lifetime. It raised Mozart’s standing as a composer, but did not bring him personal financial security as he was paid a flat fee of 100 Imperial ducats for the composition. Tobias Kehrer performs “O, wie will ich triumphieren” fron Glynderbourne: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpSQxZGq4Ao Edita Gruberova sings “Martern aller arten” from Bayerische Staatsoper: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruM8d4vcGec .