MUL 1010: Music Appreciation / Music in the Humanities: Watch - Opera

Humorous and informative video series on all things opera!

Aida was acclaimed at its first performance in 1871 and has grown in stature ever since to become one of the best-loved and most-performed grand operas of all time. Filmed at the Royal Opera House, Elijah Moshinsky’s 1994 production of Giuseppe Verdi’s extravagant and magnificent Egyptian opera features Cheryl Studer in the title role and a cast that includes Dennis O’Neill and Luciana D’Intino. One of the 20 most-performed operas in North America, as cited by OPERA America! (Italian, 151 minutes)

Based on Book IV of Virgil’s Aeneid, Henry Purcell’s opera Dido and Aeneas contrasts both musically and dramatically the supernatural with personal tragedy. This performance—a collaboration between the Royal Opera and the Royal Ballet—spotlights Sarah Connolly and Lucas Meachem, who play out the epic story of love and despair between Dido, queen of Carthage, and the Trojan demigod Aeneas. The onstage action is directed and choreographed by Wayne McGregor, and Christopher Hogwood conducts the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. (61 minutes)

An introduction by conductor Antonio Pappano sets the stage for this Francesca Zambello production of Carmen, one of the world’s best-loved operas—a tale of passion, betrayal, and revenge featuring the perennially popular and dramatic music of Georges Bizet. Anna Caterina Antonacci and Jonas Kaufmann in the roles of Carmen and Don José head a cast of more than 140 supported by the Royal Opera House Orchestra and the Royal Opera Chorus. (Opera in French with English subtitles, 2 hours 39 minutes)

This modern retelling of Humperdinck’s fairy tale opera—described by Richard Strauss as “a masterpiece of the highest quality”—combines Romanticism, lyricism, and exuberant playfulness in a rich orchestration. Director Laurent Pelly places the siblings in a cardboard shack, and the iconic gingerbread house has been reenvisioned as shelves of child-enticing junk food. (German with English subtitles, 1 hour 47 minutes)

Known for his daring interpretations of other Mozart operas, Scottish director David McVicar offers viewers a fresh and energetic version of Le Nozze di Figaro in this 2006 Royal Opera House production.The Royal Opera House Orchestra is conducted by Antonio Pappano, dubbed the “lightning conductor” and praised for overturning the company’s “old regime” by Peter Conrad in The Guardian. Tanya McCallin’s departure from traditional 18th-century period design is also noteworthy. (Italian, 3 hours 2 minutes)

In what many believe to be the finest production of Verdi’s Otello in modern times, Plácido Domingo and Kiri Te Kanawa lead a world-class cast under the forceful and sensitive musical direction of Sir Georg Solti. This is an outstanding performance of the first of the composer’s two late Shakespearean operas, widely regarded as masterpieces of the form. (Italian, 2 hours 26 minutes)

Once regarded as a “lost” opera because of early censorship and controversy, Stiffelio has now established its rightful place in the Verdi canon. In this cherished recording from the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden, José Carreras delivers a stirring performance as the Protestant minister whose faith is shattered when he discovers his wife’s adulterous liaison with a family friend. Carreras leads a fine cast that includes Catherine Malfitano, Gregory Yurisich, Gwynne Howell, and Robin Leggate under the baton of Edward Downes. (Italian, 2 hours)

Peter Hall’s magnificent production of Strauss’s opera Salome features sensational acting from Maria Ewing—who, as the sinister and ruthless heroine named in the title, ultimately leaves nothing to the imagination in her Dance of the Seven Veils. The orchestra, in excellent form, is conducted by Sir Edward Downes, whose memorable and rewarding career with the Royal Opera House will no doubt be appreciated by the classical music community for decades to come. Contains nudity. (German, 1 hour 52 minutes)

Svetla Vassileva, Massimo Giordano, And Vladimir Stoyanov sing the leading roles in this version of Guiseppe Verdi's opera. The characters are based on Dame Aux Camelias written by Alexandre Dumas. Yuri Temirkanov conducts the Teatro Regio di Parma Orchestra. Music only. (2 hours, 12 minutes)