Verismo (Italian for “realism”) opera is a type of opera that emerged in Italy in the late 19th century, characterized by its realistic and gritty subject matter, and a focus on everyday people and their struggles. Verismo opera originated from an Italian literary movement of the same name. Verismo opera sought to portray ordinary people… Read More
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The Role of Music in Wagner’s ‘Lohengrin’: A Look at the Composer’s Innovative Techniques
“Lohengrin” is a German opera in three acts, composed and written by Richard Wagner. It was first performed in 1850 in Weimar and is based on a medieval German legend. The opera is considered one of Wagner’s masterpieces and is known for its sweeping orchestrations, soaring melodies, and powerful vocal performances. The opera tells the… Read More
Rosa Ponselle: The Voice of a Legend in the Golden Age of Opera
Rosa Ponselle (1897-1981) was an American operatic soprano who is widely regarded as one of the greatest singers of the 20th century. Born in Meriden, Connecticut, Ponselle grew up in a musical family and began singing at a young age. Her older sister, Carmela Ponselle, was an established Vaudeville singer and brought a young Rosa… Read More
Thomas Quasthoff, musical icon and advocate
Thomas Quasthoff is a world-renowned German bass-baritone singer and a celebrated performer of classical music. Born on November 9, 1959, Quasthoff developed a passion for music at a young age and began singing in choirs as a child. He went on to study at the Music Conservatory of Hanover, where he received training in voice… Read More
Coloratura Soprano and Advocate, Reri Grist
Reri Grist is a retired American soprano who was born on February 23, 1932, in New York City. She is known for her performances in opera, operetta, and musical theater, and she was particularly celebrated for her coloratura soprano voice, which is a type of voice that is characterized by its agility, flexibility, and ability… Read More
A Voice for Change: Remembering Nadine Roberts Waters, Operatic Soprano
Nadine Roberts Waters was a notable African American operatic soprano from Wyoming, Ohio, who rose to fame during the early 20th century. She was born on September 10, 1903, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and grew up in the town of Wyoming, a suburb of Cincinnati. Waters started her music training at the age of 12, studying… Read More
Notable black figures in the world of opera during the 18th and 19th centuries
The field of opera libretto writing has been traditionally dominated by white, male composers. However, there were some notable black figures in the world of opera and born in the 18th and 19th centuries who made significant contributions in the field of performance and composition. William Henry Brown (1815-1884) was an African American actor, singer,… Read More
Italian librettist and poet, Felice Romani
Giuseppe Felice Romani (1788-1865), also known as Felice Romani, was an Italian opera librettist of the 19th century. He was born in Milan and began his career as a lawyer before turning to literature and eventually opera libretto writing. Romani’s most famous works include the librettos for Bellini’s “Norma” and “I Puritani,” as well as… Read More