More OperaMore Opera

Georges BizetGeorges Bizet

Giacomo PucciniGiacomo Puccini

Exoticism in Opera

Looked to far away lands for musical ideas which would suggest the “exotic” location Verdi’s Aida (Egypt) Bizet’s Carmen (Spain) Puccini’s Madame Butterfly (Japan)

Georges Bizet Georges Bizet ““The composer gives the best of himself to the making of a The composer gives the best of himself to the making of a work. He believes, doubts, enthuses, despairs, rejoices, and work. He believes, doubts, enthuses, despairs, rejoices, and

suffers in turn.”suffers in turn.”

(1838-1875)(1838-1875)

Bizet won early success as a composer and initially as a pianist. His later career in Pariswas more variable, and a number of stage works remained unfinished at the time of hisearly death, which took place as his most famous opera, Carmen, was enjoying increasing favor.

Carmen

1875 in ParisLibrettists: Henri Meilhac/Ludovic HalévyShort story by: Prosper Mérimée

Carmen, seductive cigarette girlDon José, a soldierEscamillo, a bullfighterMicaela, infatuated with Don JoséLieutenant Zuniga, Don José’s “boss”

Poster from last scene of Carmen

Carmen, the music

Emotional music, depicting love, hate, desire

Trumpet fanfare announces the arrival of the military guards

The “chorus” of characters all sing the same melody

Carmen’s famous aria, L’amour

Giacomo PucciniGiacomo Puccini(1858-1924)(1858-1924)

“God touched me with His little finger and said, “Write for “God touched me with His little finger and said, “Write for the theater, only for the theater.” And I obeyed the the theater, only for the theater.” And I obeyed the

supreme command.”supreme command.”

Verismo

Realism – Often gruesome. They picked subjects from everyday life, and treated them in a down-to-earth fashion.

Puccini’s Madame Butterfly

Inspired by the play, “Madame Butterfly” by John Luther Long

Hired librettistsFirst premiere a disasterRewritten version an instant successExample of exoticism – contains traditional

Japanese melodies

“Un bel di,” from Madame Butterfly

Famous ariaLove song

Peter Ilyich TchaikovskyPeter Ilyich Tchaikovskyand BALLETand BALLET(1840-1893)(1840-1893)

Nadezdha von Meck,Nadezdha von Meck,a wealthy widow who was aa wealthy widow who was a

generous patron of generous patron of Tchaikovsky Tchaikovsky

Ballet

Stories told with music and dance Choreographer: Serge Diaghilev,

head of Ballet Russe

Tchaikovsky’s Ballets

Swan Lake Sleeping Beauty The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker

Based on a story by E.T.A. Hoffman Choreographer: Marius Petipa Three Selelections:

March Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy Trepak

The Nutcracker