The 10 most famous operas
01.01.2020
The most famous operas
If we ask different people about famous operas , we will surely see some coincidences in their answers, but we will also find very diverse perceptions about those works that have traditionally been considered the most emblematic.
This is because, obviously, the selection of the best or most famous operas is entirely subjective. Depending on a person's background, tastes, or musical education, their opinions may differ somewhat. However, there is surely a general consensus that the following works hold a prominent place in history:
La Traviata , by Verdi
La Traviata , by Giuseppe Verdi , is an opera in three acts with an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave, inspired by Alexandre Dumas's novel La Dame aux Camélias . Set around 1700, it is based on the story of a famous Parisian courtesan, Alphonsine Plessis, whose life is considered one of the greatest examples of French Romanticism.
Among the passages of La Traviata is the famous drinking song, one of the most hummed opera melodies in the entire world.
The Magic Flute , by Mozart
The Magic Flute is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's last staged opera. The libretto, in German by Emanuel Schikaneder, is set within a fairy tale. Its plot has been much debated throughout history because, while many scholars see only the fairy tale itself, others appreciate the symbolism and Masonic references in the work.
In the second act of The Magic Flute , we find the spectacular aria of the Queen of the Night. The vocal intricacies and staccato notes required demand a soprano with a high coloratura range and exceptional interpretive skills. For this reason, "Der Hölle Rach" is deservedly one of the most famous arias in the world.
La boheme, by Puccini
The opera La Boheme , composed by Giacomo Puccini with an Italian libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica, premiered in Turin in 1896. Its debut was not very well received, but, in a short time, its popularity spread throughout Italy.
La Bohème is composed of four acts based on the novel Scenes of Bohemian Life by Henry Murger. The work blends comedy with drama and features one of the most iconic deaths in opera.
Carmen , by Bizet
Carmen , by Georges Bizet and with a French libretto by Ludovic Halévy and Henri Meilhac, is a four-act dramatic opera based on the novel Carmen , by Prosper Mérimée.
It premiered at the Opéra-Comique in Paris in 1875 and was nearly cancelled after its fifth performance due to overwhelmingly negative reviews. However, it gradually gained popularity throughout Europe, eventually becoming one of the most iconic operas in history.
Starring a gypsy, the plot of Carmen is set around 1820 in Seville and is notable for its great passions and crimes.
Madama Butterfly , by Puccini
With music by Giacomo Puccini and libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica, Madama Butterfly is based on the short story by John Luther Long, as well as the novel Madame Chrysanthème , by Pierre Loti.
Originally conceived as a two-act opera starring renowned singers, the work failed to achieve the expected success. Puccini rewrote it, ultimately expanding it to three acts. This second version captivated audiences in 1904, during its debut in Brescia.
Aida, by Verdi
Aida , composed by Giuseppe Verdi and with a libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni, is a four-act work based on Camille du Locle's version of the story proposed by the French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette.
Its premiere in Cairo on December 24, 1871, was a great success. Characterized by its grand stage production, featuring large choruses and special effects, it brought Verdi closer to the Grand Opera genre.
The Barber of Seville, by Rossini
The Barber of Seville is one of the great masterpieces of comedy and a prime example of opera buffa. Its plot revolves around the adventures of Count Almaviva and the young orphan Rosina, a pair of lovers who enlist the help of the barber Figaro to unite them in marriage.
Considered one of the most famous and funniest operas of all time, it was composed by Gioachino Rossini and its libretto is based on the comedy by Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais.
Nabucco, by Verdi
Nabucco is considered Giuseppe Verdi's first major success, after which the composer embarked on a period of frenetic composition. In just twelve years, he produced seventeen operas, including Rigoletto and Ernani .
The great success of this lyrical tragedy, with an Italian libretto by Temistocle Solera, is due to the musical quality of the work, but also to the association that the public made between the history of the Israelite people and the nationalist ambitions of the time.
The " Va, pensiero" from the third act remains to this day a symbol that reinforces the ideal of independence. This chorus of Hebrew slaves is probably one of the most popular in operatic history.
Tristan und Isolde, by Wagner
Tristan and Isolde is a musical drama in three acts with music and libretto in German by Richard Wagner, based on the romance by Gottfried von Strasbourg. Its composition was inspired by his affair with Mathilde Wesendonck and by the ideas of the philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer.
It is considered one of Wagner's most representative works and is notable for its chromaticism, tonality, orchestral color, and harmonic suspension. The opera's first chord, called "Tristan's chord," is traditionally considered of great importance in the development of tonal harmony.
Rossini's La Cenerentola
La Cenerentola is Gioachino Rossini's last comic opera. He composed it in just three weeks, following the success he had achieved the previous year with The Barber of Seville .
According to the libretto by Jacopo Ferretti, the plot is based on the fairy tale of Cinderella , by Charles Perrault, and Agatina and La virtù prizeta , by Felice Romani.
The opera premiered at the Teatro Valle in Rome in 1817, with Rossini conducting. Initially, La Cenerentola was very poorly received by the public, and Rossini himself declared, "Before the carnival is over, the public will love Cenerentola ." Just as the composer had predicted, despite its initial lack of success, it quickly became a very popular piece.
Great opera composers
Regarding the great composers of the most famous operas, as we mentioned at the beginning of this post, choosing the best is highly subjective. To try to gain the most objective perspective possible, there are several platforms that collect relevant data on the most listened-to operas and composers.
For example, Operabase , the leading digital portal for opera documentation, has a statistics section where you can compare the most listened-to opera titles and composers according to the season or country.
According to their data, the 5 most listened-to opera composers worldwide during the 2019/2020 season were:
- Verdi : For years, Verdi's operas have topped the list of most listened-to works. Among his brilliant masterpieces are La Traviata , Falstaff, Aida , and Rigoletto.
- Puccini : Puccini's operas are also among the most listened to. Among them, La Bohème, Tosca, Madama Butterfly , and Turandot are commonly known.
- Mozart : Unlike others, this great composer wrote in all musical genres. Mozart's most representative operas are The Magic Flute, The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, Così fan tutte …
- Rossini : He is best remembered for The Barber of Seville , but he played a prominent role in both opera buffa and opera seria. Among his other notable works are La Cenerentola and Il turco in Italia .
- Donizetti : His compositional repertoire covers a wide range of genres, although he was particularly known for his lyrical works, including L'elisir d'amore, Don Pasquale, Lucia di Lammermoor , and La fille du régiment .
