OPERA

DefinitionA dramatic work set for singers and

instrumentalists in one or more acts

The work is all sung. There is no spoken dialogue

It consists of a staged plot, with costumes, and sets, and then a pit orchestra

Terms of the dayOPERA- a dramatic work in one or more acts set for

singers and instrumentalists

LIBRETTO- the text set to a piece of extended musical work such as an opera, or musical, or mass.

RECITATIVE- sung dialogue

ARIA- a solo that a lead sings in which expresses emotion about a situation

SCORE- the written down music of the entire works

OVERTURE- The instrumental piece at the beginning

Voice TypesWOMEN

SOPRANO- coloratura- Queen of the NightSpinto- Vissi D’arteDramatic- Ride of the Valkryes

MEZZO SOPRANO- Mon coeurCastrati- male

CONTRALTO- Marian Anderson- He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands

Voice typesMEN

Tenor- Nessum Dorma from Turandot

Baritone- Madamina from Don Giovanni

Bass- O Isis and Osiris

I’m a Lonely man, Susannah

Lesson 2: CARMENA French opera that is set in Spain, however, it is

sung in French

It consists of four acts

It is an opera about gypsies

ComposerGeorges Bizet- a french composer who wrote the

opera

The opera premiered on March 3rd, 1875 in Paris

Bizet was born October 25th, 1838 

And died on June 3rd, 1875 a sudden

death

LibrettistsHenri Melihac and Ludovic Halevy

Writers of the WORDS of the opera

Plot ACT I- Takes place in Seville

Micaela, a young peasant girl in love with Don Jose questions soldiers about her love

The soldiers convince her to stay with Don Jose, but she leaves

Don Jose arrives at the cigarette factory and a beautiful gypsy, as well as other women leave the building

Carmen seduces with Don Jose by tossing a flower in front of him

Micaela returns with a letter and kiss sent to Don Jose from his mother which asks Don Jose to marry Micaela. Don promises to love Micaela

However, moments later in the cigarette factory, a fight breaks out with Carmen and another woman. Carmen then is sent to be escorted by Don Jose to prison, yet Carmen charms Don Jose into letting her escape.

Don Jose is then thrown into jail for a month after getting caught for letting her go.

Plot (continued) Act II

Carmen and some friends, including Officer Zuniga, who had wanted her in prison, are all socializing at Lilas Pastia’s Inn, when Escamillo (the victorious bullfighter) bursts in and tries to capture Carmen’s heart

Officer Zuniga tells Carmen he will return to the Inn for her, but Carmen is eagerly awaiting Don Jose’s release from prison

Later on, some smugglers ask Carmen and her friends for help, but Carmen refuses because she is awaiting Don Jose’s return. When he returns, she dances for him. Then, a bugle is sounded in the distance to Don to return home. Carmen tries to convince him to stay and live the gyspy life. He finally gives in when officer Zuniga returns for her

Zuniga tries to get Don Jose to leave

Plot (continued) Act III

At this point, Carmen has become bored with Don Jose, and tells him that he should go back to his mother

Carmen’s friends Frasquita and Mercedes read fortunes for amusement from cards. Carmen joins in, and they discover that they are reading the fortune of Carmen and Don Jose’s death

Don Jose is placed on guard duty, and Micaela enters, determined to rescue Don Jose from Carmen. She suddenly hears a gunshot and hides, which turns out to be Don Jose shooting at Escamillo, who is intruding.

Escamillo declares his feelings for Carmen, and they start to fight. They are then interrupted by women and smugglers passing by, and Escamillo invites everyone to his next bullfight.

Micaela is discovered and convinces Don Jose to leave with her after telling him and his mother is dying

CarmenA gypsy girl- who is a mezzo soprano

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px36njyCnVM

Don JoseCoporal of Dragons- a tenor (high male voice)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WbiHVGB6zg

EscamilloThe Toreador- bass-baritone (medium low male

voice)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ygqq7Yt2Vbo

MicaelaA village Maiden- soprano

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkqwjzOJWuY

ZunigaLieutenant of dragons- bass

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKSmLxfhB48

Lesson 3Let’s watch act 4!