Wozzeck is the most important opera of atonal music of the 21st century and the first full-length work of this style. Berg shows himself to be a great dramatist who continues to captivate audiences with this work to this day.
This work belongs to the great operas of the 20th century. Korngold once again evokes the intoxication of late romantic music, narcotic in its opulence and melancholy.
“l’incoronazione di Poppea” inspires with a gripping plot with people made of flesh and blood. It is THE masterpiece of the early baroque period and Monteverdi presents himself as a mature master and innovative creator, who significantly influenced the history of opera with this “dramma per musica”. Even today not only the final duet still moves the hearts of the listeners.
At the peak of his ability as a composer and in a two-month creative frenzy, Tchaikovsky composed a true masterpiece based on a libretto of his brother Modest and a novel of Pushkin.
Orfeo is the oldest opera that has been in the repertoire without interruption and is one of the most influential works in the history of opera. And with “che faro senza Euridice” he has succeeded in creating the first mega-hit in operatic history.
Rinaldo is Handel’s opera with the most hits and a firework of beautiful arias and stage effects. It is unbelievable that this opera was a Sleeping Beauty sleep for 200 years.
The Rosenkavalier offers music lovers two of the most sublime scenes in the entire opera literature. The presentation of the silver rose and the closing scene are to be mentioned. Like Mozart, Strauss was a composer for female voices and with this opera he created with the Marschallin, Sophie and Octavian three immortal roles for sopranos. The three different female leading roles were often played by the same singers throughout their careers: Octavian and Sophie at a young and middle age, the Marschallin in more mature years.
Samson et Dalila is one of the 5 greatest works of French opera literature. Three immortal arias for mezzo-soprano, the overwhelming Bacchanale, an attractive tenor role and the great choirs leave lasting impressions. The second act shows the greatest emotions and passions.
La forza del destino is one of three Spanish operas (Don Carlo, Forza del destino, Il Trovatore) by Verdi, all of which enter the heroic-historical world of the grand opéra. It can justifiably be counted among the great works of Verdi. The many magnificent duets between Alvaro and Caro, the religious scenes of Leonora and the colourful supporting roles of Preziosilla, Guardiano and Fra Melitone characterise this opera. Verdi’s musical themes are grandiose and he uses them as leitmotifs throughout the opera for the first time.
With “Porgy and Bess” Gershwin reached the peak of his career. With this composition he has succeeded in creating a work of international standing, one of the great folk operas in history. The performance of this opera involves great difficulties, which is why the work is seldom heard. The power and authenticity of this opera has prompted all the jazz greats of the last century to cover many songs.
