More Opera Georges Bizet Giacomo 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 “ The composer gives the best of himself to the making of a work. He believes, doubts, enthuses, despairs, rejoices, and suffers in turn.” ( ) Bizet won early success as a composer and initially as a pianist. His later career in Paris was more variable, and a number of stage works remained unfinished at the time of his early death, which took place as his most famous opera, Carmen, was enjoying increasing favor.

Carmen 1875 in Paris Librettists: Henri Meilhac/Ludovic Halévy Short story by: Prosper Mérimée Carmen, seductive cigarette girl Don José, a soldier Escamillo, a bullfighter Micaela, infatuated with Don José Lieutenant 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 Puccini ( ) “God touched me with His little finger and said, “Write for the theater, only for the theater.” And I obeyed the 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 librettists First premiere a disaster Rewritten version an instant success Example of exoticism – contains traditional Japanese melodies

“Un bel di,” from Madame Butterfly Famous aria Love song

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky and BALLET ( )

Nadezdha von Meck, a wealthy widow who was a generous patron of Tchaikovsky

Ballet Stories told with music and dance Choreographer: Serge Diaghilev, head of Ballet Russe

Tchaikovsky’s Ballets Swan Lake Sleeping Beauty 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