Italian Opera: from Rossini to Puccini
From the premiere of The Barber of Seville in 1816 to Turandot in 1926, the whole repertoire of Italian opera comprises 110 years of inexhaustible melody and effortless invention. This period is understood as Italian opera’s Golden Century. During this course we explore the works of the bel canto composers, the dramatic developments of Verdi, and the verismo school.
A Selected Bibliography:
The Golden Century of Italian Opera from Rossini to Puccini
New Looks at Italian Opera: Essays in Honour of Donald J. Grout.
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Opera
The Lives Of The Great Composers: Third Edition
Verdi (The Master Musicians S.)
A Selected Discography:
Bravissimo – The Best of Bel Canto
Rossini: Il barbiere di Siviglia
Rossini: Colbran, The Muse. Joyce DiDonato, mezzo
Juan Diego Flórez – Rossini Arias
Rossini Three Tenors – Bruce Ford, William Matteuzzi, Paul Austin Kelly
The Art of the Prima Donna. Joan Sutherland, sop.
Coloratura Spectacular: Joan Sutherland, Marilyn Horne & Sumi Jo
Operatic Duets: Jerry Hadley, tenor & Thomas Hampson, baritone
Pavarotti – King of the High Cs
Maria Callas: Rossini & Donizetti Arias
Natalie Dessay ~The Miracle of the Voice
Juan Diego Flórez: Donizetti & Bellini Arias
Bel Canto ~ Marcelo Alvarez, tenor
Maria Callas: Verdi Arias, Vol. 1
Maria Callas: Verdi Arias, Vol. 2