Sure you can! It will put you head and shoulders above about six billion people, in an aesthetic sense. Don’t be afraid.

JOIN US

I hadn’t thought of putting La Forza del Destino on my list, but I will now. But I can’t listen only to Verdi! I also intend to listen through Wagner (I know, I know), Mozart, Puccini, and some of the bel canto operas. Also Janacek and Strauss (I know, I know). Maybe even some Handel, if I feel I need a break from interesting stories.

I agree some opera stories are way too artificial to bring out the human emotion: I feel this way about “Il Trovatore”. Some amazing arias there, but the story is just too unbelievable.

Yes I have seen Zeffirelli’s version of La Traviata. Very, very good. Also watch Zefirelli’s stage production of Turandot and film of Tosca, filmed the times and places in Rome where the action takes place. A 2000 TV film of La Traviata with Jose Cura and Eteri Gvazava is also pretty good.

I strongly recommend you listen to “La Forza del Destino”, but the original version premiered at St Petersburg. Great music, but disturbing message.

“Va pensiero” is the unofficial Italian national anthem. It is also the “national” anthem of the self-proclaimed separatist state of “Padania” (northern Italy); but that is another story.

–Giovanni

Have you seen Zeffirelli’s film version of La Traviata, with Teresa Stratas and Placido Domingo singing the lead roles? I watched it, and I thought it was excellent. I wonder why more operas are not filmed that way.

Nick, I am trying to listen to one opera each week for the next few months, so there will be a few more “Great moments in opera” posts if I can find the time to write them. Aida is on my list, but Nabucco is not. I agree, though, that “Va, pensiero” is a wonderful chorus.

I’ll read as many of these posts as you choose to publish, in any event.

[WARNING: CONTAINS PLOT SPOILERS]

yes, Act I on the surface is the most pleasing; but Act II, Scene I is the most dramatic, both lyrically and emotionally. It is the crux of the opera. When Violetta bids farewell to Alfredo and sings “Amami Alfredo”, this is one of, if not, THE MOST GUT-WRENCHING scene in all of Opera. I heard somewhere that at La Scala, the public always applauds at this point.

Even Germont’s duet with Violetta contains a few memorable moments “Pura siccome un angelo”; “E’ grave il sacrifizio”; “Dite alla giovine”.

And of course, there is Germont’s aria “Di Provenza il Mar il Suol”; one of the best Baritone arias ever written (my own grandfather’s favourite, I am told).

And what about the gypsy dance and song?

This opera is so loved by so many because we can identify in the situation and, to some extent, in the characters – a strong, passionate love, that alas, does not work out; or specifically, external forces prevent the relationship from continuing. Those that have been in this situation will completely understand the drama at hand. Verdi himself in his personal life found himself in this situation.

Imagine being in love with someone after years of torment, and then, have that love taken away from you…what emotions does that bring out? How can these emotions be expressed on stage, lyrically? This is where Verdi shows his mastery. He can bring out with the right music, the right song, all these emotions with which the listener readily identifies. The climax to these emotions, of course comes in the episode I mention above, “Amami Alfredo”…here is a video…skip to minute 1:55.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJle_zyzus0&feature=related

Below is the relevant translation after the point Alfredo comes in (this is where Violetta bids farewell to Alfredo): I think the music and the dialogue speak for themselves…I always get goose bumps at this point.

–GF

ALFREDO
What are you doing?

VIOLETTA
(folding the letter)
Nothing.

ALFREDO
You were writing?

VIOLETTA
(confused)
Yes… no…

ALFEDO
Why are you confused?
Who were you writing to?

VIOLETTA
To you.

ALFREDO
Give me the letter.

VIOLETTA
No, later.

ALFREDO
I’m sorry,
There’s something worrying me.

VIOLETTA
(getting up)
What is it?

ALFREDO
My father’s arrived…

VIOLETTA
Have you seen him?

ALFREDO
No.
But he left me an angry letter.
I shall wait for him.
He’ll love you when he sees you.

VIOLETTA
(in great agitation)
Don’t let him find me here…
Let me go…
You can calm him down…
(near to tears)
I’ll throw myself at his feet,
Hw won’t want any part of us anymore.
We shall be happy,
Because you love me, Alfredo,
Don’t you?

ALFREDO
So very much, but why are you crying?

VIOLETTA
I felt like crying
But I am better now.
(controlling herself)
You see… I’m smiling… you see?
I’m all right now…
I’m smiling,
I shall be there among the flowers,
Always near to you.
Love me Alfredo,
Love me as I love you!
Farewell!
(She runs out to the garden.)