Opera is a genre of classical music where music is coupled with theatre. In the opera, the words are primarily sung, so the story is being told through music. This arrangement invites the listener to enhance the listening experience with visuals, language and a story and therefore make it even more intense and memorable. For example, in ‘Nessum Dorma’, one of the most beautiful melodies in the history of classical music, the listener is enthralled not only by the melody but also by Calaf’s words which give more power to the music; the listener is moved when realizing that love finally champions in the most cruel and violent worlds. But even when an aria (a song by a solo voice) is being listened to without the words and the visuals, the story is always there and gives more meaning to the music, as opposed to other genres of classical music where we have to search for meaning. In the overture of the opera ‘Gaza Ladra’, although there are no vocals, the sounds are there to complement the story: the bombastic and march-like music reminding of the approaching gendarme troop, the drum rolls reminding of gallows where executions were often accompanied by drum beats and rolls and the strong rhythm of the brass reminding of parades. We have selected a number of classical music pieces that are part of famous operas, which will travel you to the lives and stories of their heros.
"Cavalleria rusticana"
"Un bel di"
("One fine day") from "Madama Butterfly"
"William Tell, overture"
"Una furtiva lagrima" from "L'elisir d'amore"
"Ride of the Valkyries" from "The ring cycle"
"Song to the moon" from "Rusalka"
"La gaza ladra" from "The thieving magpie"
"Nessum dorma" from "Turandot"
"Flight of the bumblebee"
"Mio babbino caro"
"L'amour est un oiseau rebel" from "Carmen"
