#verdi opera

[esteemed-excellency]

I saved some pictures for the latest moodboard and I need you all to see how pretty these libretti covers are

[one-time-i-dreamt]

David Tennant is an opera singer, and is portraying Iago in Verdi’s Otello.

[zippocreed501]

The set/stage for Rigoletto at the Bregenz Festival, 2021

[derring-do]

Opera Streams: Mid-Late November 2024

15th: Rameau's Platée from Garsington Opera. Featuring Samuel Boden, Robert Murray, and Henry Waddington. Free!

15th: Rossini's Il Turco in Italia from Teatro Galli Rimini. Featuring Nahuel di Pierro, Elena Galitskaya, and Francisco Brito. Free!

17th: Verdi's Giovanna d'Arco from Malmö Opera. Featuring Ania Jeruc, Bror Magnus Tødenes, and Fredrik Zetterström. Rental.

17th: Handel's Theodora from Teatro Real. Featuring Julia Bullock, Joyce DiDonato, and Iestyn Davies. Subscription.

19th: Bizet's Carmen from San Francisco Opera. Featuring Eve-Maud Hubeaux, Jonathan Tetelman, Christian Van Horn, and Louise Alder. Rental (according to their website that is, but last time they just... didn't charge me).

22nd: Stravinsky's The Rake's Progress from Den Norske Opera & Ballett. Featuring Thomas Atkins, Mari Eriksmoen, and Aleksander Nohr. Free!

30th: Verdi's La Forza del Destino from Gran Teatre del Liceu. Featuring Anna Pirozzi, Brian Jagde, Artur Rucinski, and John Relyea. Free!

UPDATE: The Donizetti Festival is streaming all of this year's opera productions via subscription and/or rental on their platform for an indefinite period.

22nd: Don Pasquale

23rd: Roberto Devereux

29th: Zoraida di Granata

Plus: all of the Met's Puccini recordings, video and audio, are FREE through the end of the month!

[giaffa]

Sharing this Giuseppe Verdi meme i made for my friends. Use it responsibly.

[vera-dauriac]

Benefit of an uncertain birthday is you get to spend two days celebrating.

[chessalbaneze]

Major Arcana: Justice

This piece is back from late April 2019 and features one of the most explosive baritone arias from my favorite opera Rigoletto by Verdi. In this scene, "Cortigiani, vil razza," Rigoletto is certain his daughter is being held hostage by his employer the Duke and his courtiers who encourage the Duke's lecherous behavior, and he demands her release. The courtiers do not take Rigoletto's demands seriously and the aria changes from explosive fire, anger, and threats of physical violence to Rigoletto on his knees begging for even a scrap of empathy. It is one of the most heartbreaking scenes I have ever experienced, how in one moment this character is filled with righteous anger, and in the next is begging to be seen as a human being.

The most influential recording on me has been the one with Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau in the role of Rigoletto, with Rennata Scotto as Gilda and Carlo Bergonzi as the Duke. At the moment of posting, that whole recording is available to listen to here.

I also really love Sherrill Milnes as Rigoletto; he always brings a majesty and heartbreaking quality to his work. Here he is singing the aria that this card depicts.

[esteemed-excellency]

Costume sketches for La Traviata, Milan, 1880

[infinitelytheheartexpands]

because this is a real thing that happened, and the result was the rediscovery of the original uncensored version of my favorite non-standard-rep verdi opera.

anyway, happy 174th birthday to verdi’s stiffelio—so glad we all get a second chance to get to know you and your story that’s STILL so incredibly relevant and so incredibly moving.

(and it’s fitting given that the entire point of the opera is about second chances and forgiveness!)

[gouldblogger]

SHIRLEY VERRETT and GIULIANO CIANNELLA in a production of Il Trovatore by GIUSEPPE VERDI at Lyric Opera of Chicago, 1987

[derring-do]

Posting misleading stills from the Vienna Don Carlo

[moodoo-van-spoon]

Pianist Wanted for a Fun Musical Adventure in Bristol!

Hi there! I’m looking for a talented pianist to join me on an exciting musical journey, where we’ll be practising and recording some fantastic baritone opera arias—especially those beautiful Verdi pieces! As we get to know each other musically, we can also explore lieder, art songs, and even some lovely Handel tunes, including recorder and flute sonatas. The commitment is easy-going—just 1 to 2 hours a week at times that work for both of us. It’s currently an unpaid gig, but it could lead to some great opportunities as we create something special together. This is perfect for a pianist who wants to gain experience or try out new musical styles. I’m looking for someone who plays classical piano well, has experience with operatic pieces, can sight-read easily, and is keen on collaborating creatively. If you’re up for exploring different musical styles and want to help shape this adventure, I’d love to hear from you! Let’s make some memorable music together—get in touch if you’re interested! M. ps. Neck-breaking noggin not necessary! 🎶🎹😀

[the-tenth-arcanum]

[vera-dauriac]

It’s is time.