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Georges BizetGeorges Bizet
Giacomo PucciniGiacomo Puccini
Exoticism in Opera
Looked to far away lands for musical ideas which would suggest the “exotic” location Verdi’s Aida (Egypt) Bizet’s Carmen (Spain) Puccini’s Madame Butterfly (Japan)
Georges Bizet Georges Bizet ““The composer gives the best of himself to the making of a The composer gives the best of himself to the making of a work. He believes, doubts, enthuses, despairs, rejoices, and work. He believes, doubts, enthuses, despairs, rejoices, and
suffers in turn.”suffers in turn.”
(1838-1875)(1838-1875)
Bizet won early success as a composer and initially as a pianist. His later career in Pariswas more variable, and a number of stage works remained unfinished at the time of hisearly death, which took place as his most famous opera, Carmen, was enjoying increasing favor.
Carmen
1875 in ParisLibrettists: Henri Meilhac/Ludovic HalévyShort story by: Prosper Mérimée
Carmen, seductive cigarette girlDon José, a soldierEscamillo, a bullfighterMicaela, infatuated with Don JoséLieutenant Zuniga, Don José’s “boss”
Poster from last scene of Carmen
Carmen, the music
Emotional music, depicting love, hate, desire
Trumpet fanfare announces the arrival of the military guards
The “chorus” of characters all sing the same melody
Carmen’s famous aria, L’amour
Giacomo PucciniGiacomo Puccini(1858-1924)(1858-1924)
“God touched me with His little finger and said, “Write for “God touched me with His little finger and said, “Write for the theater, only for the theater.” And I obeyed the the theater, only for the theater.” And I obeyed the
supreme command.”supreme command.”
Verismo
Realism – Often gruesome. They picked subjects from everyday life, and treated them in a down-to-earth fashion.
Puccini’s Madame Butterfly
Inspired by the play, “Madame Butterfly” by John Luther Long
Hired librettistsFirst premiere a disasterRewritten version an instant successExample of exoticism – contains traditional
Japanese melodies
“Un bel di,” from Madame Butterfly
Famous ariaLove song
Peter Ilyich TchaikovskyPeter Ilyich Tchaikovskyand BALLETand BALLET(1840-1893)(1840-1893)
Nadezdha von Meck,Nadezdha von Meck,a wealthy widow who was aa wealthy widow who was a
generous patron of generous patron of Tchaikovsky Tchaikovsky
Ballet
Stories told with music and dance Choreographer: Serge Diaghilev,
head of Ballet Russe
Tchaikovsky’s Ballets
Swan Lake Sleeping Beauty The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker
Based on a story by E.T.A. Hoffman Choreographer: Marius Petipa Three Selelections:
March Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy Trepak
The Nutcracker
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