Romantic Opera & Verdi

1. Romantic Opera& Verdi

2. Transition from classical to romantic • Stock characters vs. Real life • Composers and librettist were inspired by Shakespeare and Sir Walter Scott • Big orchestras, choruses, sets, etc. • Themes: nature, powers of evil and supernatural, rural life, liberty • Bel canto – literally, beautiful singing • “…the fat lady sings.”

3. Giuseppe Verdi 1813-1901

4. Verdi and Nationalism • In his lifetime, Verdi was an immensely popular figure. “Viva Verdi” became a national rallying cry. Verdi’s name was used as an acronym of the King of Italy. • V – Vittorio • E – Emanuele • R – Re • D – d’Ital • I – ia • VittorioEmanuele Re d’Italia

5. Verdi and Nationalism • As a composer of the Romantic period, Verdi's operas contain rich emotionalism and complex vocal and instrumental parts. • Verdi composed in the vein of the Italian musical tradition. In the 1800s, there were movements all over Europe for national liberation and unification. • These movements sparked an interest in national and folk music.

6. Verdi and Nationalism • During Verdi’s lifetime, opera in Italy became a focus of dissent, with opera houses flashpoints for political unrest. • In Verdi's early years of composition (the late 1830s and 1840s) many of his operas can be interpreted as allegories for the Italian struggle against the Austrians and other foreign oppressors. • Nabucco (1842) is Verdi’s most famous nationalistic opera. It is about the captivity of the Jews in Babylon. The chorus of the Hebrew slaves, “VaPensiero”, became an anthem of the national movement.

8. Nabucco • Verdi’s opera Nabuccois about the Hebrew enslavement by the Babylonians. • The Babylonians attack the Jews in Jerusalem and destroy the temple taking the Jews to Babylon. Nabucco is the Babylonian king and there is confusion as to who is his daughter. • The Jews sing “Vapensiero” on the banks of the Euphrates. • Through a series of events Nabucco turns from the worship of Baal to the worship of the Hebrew God and the Jews are freed.

9. VaPensiero from Nabucco • Fly, thoughts, on wings of gold; go settle upon the slopes and the hills,where, soft and mild, the sweet air of our native land smells fragrant! Greet the banks of the Jordanand Zion's toppled towers.Oh, my country so lovely and lost! Oh, memory so dear and despairing!Golden harp of the prophetic seers,why do you hang mute upon the willow?Rekindle our heart's memories and speak of times gone by! Mindful of the fate of Jerusalem,either sound a song of sad lamentation, or else let the Lord give us the strength to bear our sufferings!(Translation from: http://www.wowzone.com/pensiero.htm) • "Vapensiero" performed at the MET 2001 • “Vapensiero" as an Italian Anthem

11. Rigoletto (1851) • Synopsis of Rigoletto • The most famous aria from Rigoletto is sung by the Duke of Mantua. • Woman is flightyLike a feather in the wind,She changes her voice — and her mind.Always sweet, Pretty face,In tears or in laughter, — she is always lying.Always miserable is he who trusts her,He who confides in her — his unwary heart!Yet one never feels fully happyWho on that bosom — does not drink love! • "La donna e mobile"

12. Rigoletto presented by ALO • Asheville Lyric Website • WCU performance date • Tuesday, April 14 – 7:30 PM, FPAC

13. Credits Verdi: The people's opera • http://pubs.socialistreviewindex.org.uk/sr251/sagall.htm Nabucco – Opera by Verdi • http://italian-opera.suite101.com/article.cfm/nabucco_opera_by_verdi