La Traviopera

This week we dive into the sad world of Suor Angelica. A young woman who was banished to a convent after having a baby out of wedlock. For seven years she has heard nothing from or about her family until one day her aunt randomly shows up asking her to sign over her inheritance. She discovers that her son died two years prior and ends up distraught. She ends up poisoning herself to join him with the Virgin Mary.

Sources:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suor_Angelica

https://www.eno.org/operas/suor-angelica/

I'm back! I thought I should actually cover the opera my show is named after. La Traviata is an Italian opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi and Librettist Francesco Maria Piave. This classic story deals with the choice between empty possession and wealth with deep love. Violetta must choose between these while also dealing with the reality that she is sick and does not know when her time will come to an end. Will she end up with her true love or will she die alone in her large home with her mistress in Paris?

Find me on Instagram @Latraviopera

Sources:

https://www.eno.org/operas/la-traviata/

https://www.metopera.org/discover/synopses/la-traviata/

https://youtu.be/afhAqMeeQJk?si=7noCZSMmdkQmTzeM

This scene is from the Met Opera with Singers Juan Diego Flórez and Diana Damrau.

This week's opera we dive into the world of a Forester who thinks it is a good idea to take in a wild animal, aka a fox cub. Her life ends up being miserable while she is living with him and eventually escapes with him on her tail. Will she be able to shake him off and find a new life for herself in the woods, or will she face an unfortunate fate?

Sources:

https://www.eno.org/operas/the-cunning-little-vixen/

https://www.operanorth.co.uk/news/the-cunning-little-vixen-in-a-nutshell/

Another one-act opera this week! This is a radio opera that was written specifically to be broadcast on the radio. This story follows two shy characters who are too scared to tell each other their feelings or even say hi to one another. Both characters end up passing out, one from being hit in the head, and the other from seeing him being hit in the head. In their stupor, they confess their feelings to the wrong people. Will they be able to get out of this crazy situation or stay with the wrong people forever?

Sources:

https://stageagent.com/shows/opera/8675/i-due-timidi

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_opera

https://blogs.bl.uk/music/2022/11/nino-rota-i-due-timidi.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suso_Cecchi_d%27Amico

This week's episode is a one-act opera by Giacomo Puccini and Libretto by Giovacchino Forzano. It covers the story of a family desperately trying to forge a will after they have been disinherited by a family member who has recently passed. With the help of one Gianni Schicchi, he comes up with a plan to make a new will, but he may have ulterior motives. Will the family get everything they want as Schicchi rewrites this will, or will they be tricked? This comedic story will hopefully make you giggle.

Sources:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Gianni-Schicchi

https://www.opera-online.com/en/items/works/gianni-schicchi-forzano-puccini-1918

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9J9XMe7zvVg&t=3s

Sung by Kristina Mkhitaryan

This week I brought on a guest, Chelsea Zak, to discuss The Rake's Progress. This story revolves around a man named Tom Rakewell who digs himself deeper and deeper into a pit of despair and unhappiness. He is tempted by the devil to go to a brothel, marry a bearded-woman while also being with someone else. He ends up being sent to a mental institution where he ultimately passes away. This opera includes plenty of humor and exciting plot point to keep you entertained. Moral of the story.....don't be like Tom Rakewell

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rake%27s_Progress

https://www.metopera.org/discover/synopses/the-rakes-progress/

https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/resources-for-educators/classroom-resources/media-and-interactives/media/opera/rep/20th-century/the-rakes-progress/

"Since it is not by merit" sung by Ben Bliss at the Met Opera

https://youtu.be/HhMuiFCyetE?si=mXRgyxqJ3Q1hG7ob

Ann Trulove aria sung by Gilda Schultz at the Met Opera

https://youtu.be/E4EYj0O0M0Q?si=3dCEflLWxd-I4cNz

Baba the Turk aria sung by Raehann Bryce Davis at the Met Opera

https://youtu.be/OInKw9ZeeCc?si=GGe5UnRylBQfO4J_

Nick Shadow's Aria "I burn, I freeze" sung by Christian Van Horn at the Met Opera

https://youtu.be/0GHn3VfLR5Q?si=ZsdxIlkIJW460NDs

Another sad opera this week I am so sorry. This short one-act opera dives into the sorrow of losing family members and the grief that follows afterwards. This story is full of deep emotion and sorrow. Hopefully it is not too depressing to listen to!

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inishmaan

https://stageagent.com/shows/opera/9185/riders-to-the-sea

https://www.supersummary.com/riders-to-the-sea/summary/

This weeks story is unfortunately not a happy one. A girl is found in the woods and doesn't remember who she is or how she got there. She is taken to a castle where she is married to someone who doesn't know her. She falls in love with his brother and things take a turn for the worst. Will she be able to escape or will she fall victim at the hands of her husband?

Sources:

https://www.metopera.org/user-information/synopses-archive/pelleas-et-melisande

This short story is based off of William Shakespeare's Midsummer's Night's Dream. Full of Greek Mythology and fairies, this episode follows the lovers Hermia and Lysander and their path to marriage. But along the way they find themselves under a love spell and someone falls in love with a donkey...? Listen to find out more and if they get their happily ever after.

Sources:

https://opera-guide.ch/operas/the+fairy+queen/synopsis/en/

https://www.glyndebourne.com/opera-archive/explore-our-operas/explore-the-fairy-queen/the-fairy-queen-synopsis/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theseus

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demetrius

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermia#:~:text=Hermia%20is%20a%20fictional%20character,the%20Greek%20god%20of%20trade.

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Lysander-Greek-military-leader

This weeks episode we talk about the wild story of The Marriage of Figaro. This humorous opera involves tricks and secretive plans to get revenge on each other. The main culprit you may ask? The Count. Will he get in the way of Susanna and Figaro's wedding or will everything end happily ever after?

Source: https://www.metopera.org/discover/synopses/le-nozze-di-figaro/