Subject
Operas -- Librettos Books
Best books
Arthur Sullivan
The Complete Plays of Gilbert and Sullivan
"The Complete Plays of Gilbert and Sullivan" by Sir Arthur Sullivan and W. S. Gilbert is a collection of operas created in the late 19th century, encompassing a delightful array of comic operas which are renowned for their wit, clever lyrics, and intricate musical compositions. The opening portion introduces "The Gondoliers," highlighting its comedic and whimsical exploration of social themes, including class and monarchy, through the lives and interactions of gondoliers in Venice. At the start of "The Gondoliers," the scene is set in the picturesque Piazzetta of Venice, where groups of contadine (young maidens) are preparing bouquets for two distinguished gondoliers, Marco and Giuseppe. As the gondoliers arrive, both men are presented with floral tributes by the maidens enamored with them, creating a lively atmosphere filled with excitement. The narrative quickly unfolds into a series of lighthearted misadventures involving a mistaken identity regarding royal lineage, highlighting the tension between their humble lives and their unexpected royal duties. The characters’ playful banter, combined with Gilbert's sharp social commentary, sets the stage for a comedic exploration of love, duty, and the absurdities of class distinctions. The dynamic between the gondoliers and their potential brides encapsulates the humor and charm that are hallmarks of Gilbert and Sullivan's collaboration.
Richard Wagner
La Tétralogie de l'Anneau du Nibelung
"La Tétralogie de l'Anneau du Nibelung" by Richard Wagner is a cycle of four epic music dramas composed between 1848 and 1874. Drawing from Germanic and Norse legends, the work follows struggles over a magic ring that grants world domination. The story spans three generations, involving gods, heroes, and mythical creatures, culminating in a final cataclysm. With approximately fifteen hours of music requiring a specially built theatre, Wagner created what many consider opera's most massive undertaking.
W. S. (William Schwenck) Gilbert
Original Plays, Second Series
"Original Plays, Second Series" by W. S. Gilbert is a collection of theatrical works written during the late 19th century. This volume showcases a range of original plays, including well-known titles like "H.M.S. Pinafore" and "The Pirates of Penzance." The works explore themes of love, societal norms, and human folly through witty dialogue and engaging characters, aimed at entertaining viewers and provoking thought about the conventions of the time. The beginning of the collection introduces "Broken Hearts," an original fairy play set on a tropical island. It features a deformed dwarf named Moussa, who is deeply discontent with his appearance and seeks transformation through a mysterious book filled with sorcery. The narrative highlights the poignant interactions between Moussa and the lovely Lady Hilda, as well as other characters involved in love and loss. The world they inhabit brims with fantastical elements, such as the exploration of love’s complexities and the longing for acceptance, setting a whimsical yet reflective tone that invites readers and audiences to contemplate the nature of beauty and desire.
Engelbert Humperdinck
Hänsel and Gretel: A Fairy Opera in Three Acts
"Hänsel and Gretel: A Fairy Opera in Three Acts" by Engelbert Humperdinck is an opera composed between 1891 and 1892. Based on the Grimm brothers' fairy tale, this beloved work follows two hungry children sent into a haunted forest to gather strawberries. As darkness falls, they lose their way and encounter mysterious terrors lurking among the trees. With folk-inspired melodies and the famous "Evening Benediction," Humperdinck's enchanting score transforms the classic tale of siblings facing a sinister threat deep in the woods.
Charles Gounod
Faust: A Lyric Drama in Five Acts
"Faust: A Lyric Drama in Five Acts" by Gounod, Barbier, and Carré is a grand opera composed in 1859. An aging scholar, despairing over a life wasted on fruitless studies, strikes a fateful bargain with the demonic Méphistophélès. Transformed into a handsome young man, Faust pursues the virtuous Marguerite, setting in motion a tragic tale of temptation, love, and damnation. Based on Goethe's legendary story, this five-act opera became one of the most frequently performed works in operatic history.
Richard Wagner
Siegfried & The Twilight of the Gods The Ring of the Niblung, part 2
"Siegfried & The Twilight of the Gods" by Richard Wagner is an opera composed in the 1870s. This epic music drama concludes Wagner's four-part Ring cycle, premiering in 1876. The hero Siegfried possesses a powerful ring and pledges his love to the Valkyrie Brünnhilde. But when he encounters the Gibichung court, deception and a magic potion shatter his memory. Schemes unfold involving blood-brotherhood, stolen rings, and disguised identities, setting in motion events that will determine the fate of gods and mortals alike.
Richard Wagner
Tristan and Isolda: Opera in Three Acts
"Tristan and Isolda: Opera in Three Acts" by Richard Wagner is a music drama composed between 1857 and 1859. Based on a medieval romance, the opera explores profound themes of insatiable human longing and transcendent love beyond death. Wagner drew inspiration from philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer and his muse Mathilde Wesendonck while creating this work. The opera's revolutionary harmony and famous opening "Tristan chord" marked a defining moment in modern music. Its advanced musical language divided early audiences but grew enormously influential, shaping generations of Western classical composers.
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Richard Wagner
The Rhinegold & The Valkyrie The Ring of the Niblung, part 1
"The Rhinegold & The Valkyrie" by Richard Wagner are the first two operas of a monumental four-part cycle composed between 1848 and 1874. These epic music dramas tell of gods, heroes, and mythical creatures struggling over a magic ring that grants world domination. Drawing from Norse sagas and Germanic legend, the story follows the schemes of Wotan, chief of the gods, as he attempts to regain the cursed ring stolen from the Rhine maidens—setting in motion conflicts that span generations and lead toward ultimate catastrophe.
Richard Wagner
The Flying Dutchman (Der Fliegende Hollaender): Romantic Opera in Three Acts
"The Flying Dutchman (Der Fliegende Hollaender): Romantic Opera in Three Acts" by Richard Wagner is a German-language opera composed in 1840-1841. A sea captain cursed to sail forever can only be saved through the love of a faithful woman. Inspired by Wagner's own stormy sea voyage and Heinrich Heine's retelling of the legend, this work explores redemption through love. Wagner introduces leitmotifs—recurring musical themes—for characters and ideas, marking an early step toward his later groundbreaking operatic style.
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Rustic Chivalry (Cavalleria Rusticana): Melodrama in One Act
"Rustic Chivalry (Cavalleria Rusticana): Melodrama in One Act" by Pietro Mascagni is an opera composed in 1890. Set in a Sicilian village on Easter morning, this verismo masterpiece explores the aftermath of betrayal and jealousy. A young soldier returns from service to find his fiancée married to another man. In revenge, he seduces a village woman—but his former love, consumed by jealousy, begins an affair with him. Premiered in Rome to thunderous applause, this passionate one-act opera became an immediate sensation across Europe and America.
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Zanetto; and Cavalleria Rusticana
"Zanetto; and Cavalleria Rusticana" by Pietro Mascagni features librettos by G. Targioni-Tozzetti and G. Menasci, with English translations by Willard G. Day. This book is a collection of operatic works written during the late 19th century, specifically in the context of Italian opera. The primary topics revolve around themes of love and tragedy, addressing the complexities of human emotions in relationships. The first opera "Zanetto" tells the story of a beautiful but disillusioned hotelier named Silvia, who, after repelling advances from wealthy suitors, falls for a wandering minstrel named Zanetto. Silvia conceals her identity as she offers him advice, leading to an emotional climax where they express mutual affection. In "Cavalleria Rusticana," we follow the tragic tale of Turiddu, a soldier returning from service only to find his former love, Lola, has married another man. The emotional turmoil escalates into jealousy and betrayal, culminating in a duel that ultimately ends in tragedy for Turiddu. Both operas explore the nuances of love, sacrifice, and the dire consequences of human desires.
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