Bride Gone Mad

Lucia di Lammermoor

Gaetano Donizetti

High Notes

Despite its status as a coloratura soprano vehicle, Lucia was one of Callas' top five roles.  Lucia is overflowing with high notes.  Lucia's cavatina, "Regnava nel silenzio," has a high D.  "Verrano a te sull'aure," the lover's duet, is written in B flat.  In Callas' recording, she and Tagliavini share a high Tonic.  In her recording, Sills interpolated a high F! before the closing.  Lucia has another high D at the end of Act 2 Scene 1.  The famous sextette, "Chi mi frena in tal momento," ends on a high D flat and Act 2 ends on a high D.  The equally famous mad scene has two high E flats.  If you are looking for ornamentation, purchase the Sills recording.

A dramma tragico in three acts, 2 & 1/2 hours

Composed in 1835

Set to a libretto by Salvatore Cammarano after Sir Walter Scott's novel "The Bride of Lammermoor"

First performed in Naples, Italy, Teatro di San Carlo, on 26 September 1835.

The cast at the premiere included Fanny Tacchinardi-Persiani (Lucia), Gilbert Duprez (Edgardo), Domenico Cosselli (Enrico), and Carlo Porto (Raimondo).

Principle Roles

• Lucia di Lammermoor, Enrico's sister.....soprano
• Edgardo Ravenswood, Lucia's beloved.....tenor
• Enrico Ashton, master of Lammermoor.....baritone
• Raimondo Bidebent, Calvinist chaplain at Lammermoor.....bass
• Lord Arturo Bucklaw, Lucia's groom.....tenor
• Alisa, Lucia's companion.....mezzo-soprano
• Normanno, a follower of Enrico Ashton.....tenor

The Story

Lucia needs to marry well in order to secure her family's finances. However, Normanno reveals to Enrico that she has been seeing Edgardo, her brother's sworn enemy. In a garden, Lucia contemplates the division between the two families and imagines the ghost of a Lammermoor girl who was killed by a Ravenswood. Enrico arrives and announces that he must leave Scotland for France to campaign for the Stuarts. Before he leaves, he wishes to mend the relationship between the families. However, at Lucia's urging, he settles for the exchanging of rings. While Edgardo is gone, Enrico forges a letter that suggests Edgardo has been unfaithful. The letter and the insistence of Raimondo convinces Lucia to allow Enrico to arrange her marriage to Arturo. Edgardo bursts into the wedding after Lucia signs the marriage contract. Enrico orders his removal while Edgardo voices his renewed hatred for the Lammermoor name. In a ruined tower of Ravenswood Castle, Enrico challenges Edgardo to a duel. Raimondo interrupts the wedding festivities to announce that Lucia has murdered Arturo and is asking for Edgardo. Lucia, who has gone mad, enters. Enrico feels guilty for her current state. She eventually falls dead. Edgardo, who has been waiting to fight Enrico, learns of Lucia's death from those leaving the wedding. He subsequently stabs himself.

Notable Incipits

• "Cruda, funesta smania" (Enrico)
• "Regnave nel silenzio" (Lucia)
• "Ah! Verrano a te sull'aure" (Lucia & Edgardo)
• "Se tradirmi tu potrai" (Lucia & Enrico)
• "Chi me frena in tal momento" (Lucia, Edgardo, Enrico, Raimondo, Arturo & Alisa)
• "Il dolce suono" (Lucia)
• "Alfin son tua" (Lucia)
• "Fra poco a me ricovero" (Edgardo)
• "Tu che a Dio spiegasti l'ali" (Edgardo)

Recommended Recordings

• Callas (Lucia), Tagliavini (Edgardo), Cappuccilli (Enrico)
• Sills (Lucia), Bergonzi (Edgardo), Cappuccilli (Enrico)
• Sutherland (Lucia), Pavarotti (Edgardo), Ghiaurov (Enrico)

Upcoming Performances

• October 2008-February 2009 - New York (Metropolitan)
• October 2008-May 2009 - Frankfurt (Oper)
• November 2008-March 2009 - Prague (Statni)
• December 2008 - Zurich (Oper)
• December 2008-March 2009 - Berlin (Deutsch)
• January/February 2009 - Florence (Communale)
• March-June 2009 - Vienna (Staatsoper)
• May 2009 - Dijon
• May/June 2009 - Montreal

The Gypsy of Seville and Don Jose

Carmen

Georges Bizet

High Notes

Carmen is the only opera to make the list in which Callas sings a mezzo-soprano role.  Therefore, the climax of Carmen's most famous number, "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle," is only an F sharp on the staff.  Carmen does have two Bs at the end of "Pres des remparts de Seville" and "Les tringles des sistres tintaient," but these notes are thrown up.  The real high note of the opera occurs in Escamillo's famous "Votre toast," where Micaela sings a high C on the V chord before the final I chord in F.  

An opera comique in four acts, 2 & 3/4 hours
Composed from 1873 to 1875
Set to a libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halevy after Prosper Merimee's novella
First performed in Paris, France, Opera Comique, on 3 March 1875.

The cast at the premiere included Celestine Galli-Marie (Carmen), Paul Lherie (Don Jose), Marguarite Chapuy (Micaela), and Jacques Bouhy (Escamillo).

Principle Roles

• Carmen, a rebellious cigarette girl and gypsy.....mezzo-soprano
• Don Jose, a corporal of dragoons..........................tenor
• Micaela, a peasant girl.............................................soprano
• Escamillo, a matador..............................................bass-baritone
• Morales, an officer....................................................baritone
• Zuniga, a lieutenant captain...................................bass

The Story

The opera takes place in Seville during the early nineteenth century. Despite the title, much of the action centers around the character of Don Jose, who allows himself to be seduced by Carmen. Subsequently, he lets fall his duties as corporal and beloved of Micaela. He goes as far as allowing Carmen to escape from custody and joining the smugglers with whom she associates before being driven mad by jealousy. This jealousy is brought about by Carmen's unquestionable favor for Escamillo the matador. In the final act, Carmen accompanies Escamillo to the ring. Don Jose, knowing Carmen would be present, stabs her outside of the arena.

Notable Incipits

• "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle" (Carmen)
• "Pres des remparts de Seville" (Carmen)
• "Les tringles des sistres tintaient" (Carmen)
• "Votre toast, je peux vous le rendre" (Escamill0)
• "La fleur que tu m'avais jetee" (Don Jose)
• "Je dis que rien ne m'epouvante" (Micaela)

Recommended Recordings

• Bumbry (Carmen), Vickers (Don Jose), and Freni (Micaela)
• Callas (Carmen), Gedda (Don Jose), and Guiot (Micaela)

Upcoming Performances

• October/November 2008 - Glyndebourne
• November 2008 - Budapest (Erkel)
• November 2008 - Moscow (Bolshoi)
• November 2008 - Washington, D.C. (Washington Opera)
• November/December 2008 - Los Angeles
• November 2008-July 2009 - Zurich (Oper)
• January 2009 - Munich (Staatsoper)
• January/February 2009 - Vancouver
• February 2009 - Hamburg (Staatsoper)
• February/March 2009 - Vienna (Staatsoper)
• March-July 2009 - Berlin (Deutsch)
• April 2009 - Toulouse (Capitole)
• June 2009 - Paris (Opera Comique)
• July 2009 - Cincinnati

The Icy Princess

Turandot

Giacomo Puccini

High Notes

Turandot is the other dramatic soprano role to make the list.  Turandot's big number is "In questa reggia," which climbs to a high C at the end of the piece.  This C is shared by Calaf, who gets another chance to show off in the immensely famous "Nessun dorma."

A dramma lirico in three acts, 1 & 3/4 hours

Composed from 1920 to 1924 and completed by Franco Alfano from 1925 to 1926

Set to a libretto by Giuseppe Adami and Renato Simoni after Carlo Gozzi's dramatic fairy-tale "Turandotte"

First performed in Milan, Italy, La Scala, on 25 April 1926.

The cast at the premiere included Rosa Raisa (Turandot), Miguel Fleta (Calaf) and Maria Zamboni (Liu).

Principle Roles

• Princess Turandot.....................................................soprano
• Calaf, the unknown prince...........................................tenor
• Liu, a young slave-girl..................................................soprano
• Emperor Altoum, Turndot's father.........................tenor
• Timur, exiled king of Tartary and Calaf's father.....bass
• Ping, grand chancellor of China..................................baritone
• Pang, lord of provisions...............................................tenor
• Pong, lord of the imperial kitchen..............................tenor

The Story

An imperial decree is issued declaring that the first suitor who is able to answer three riddles posed by Turndot will win her hand in marriage. However, answering any of the riddles incorrectly will result in execution. This is the fate of many suitors, including the prince of Persia. Calaf wishes to have his chance with the icy princess, but his father as well as Ping, Pang, and Pong try to convince him otherwise. Nevertheless, Calaf takes his turn and Turandot poses her three riddles. Calaf is able to answer all three correctly. However, he offers her a chance to back out of the marriage if she can figure out his name by dawn. Every effort is made to discover Calaf's name, including the torture of Liu. However, the ever-loyal Liu commits suicide rather than give up Calaf's name. At dawn, Calaf reveals his name, but Turndot says that she has learned his real name: love.

Notable Incipits

• "Signore ascolta!" (Liu)
• "Non piangere, Liu" (Calaf)
• "In questa reggia" (Turandot)
• "Nessun dorma" (Calaf)
• "Tu che di gel sei cinta" (Liu)
• "Principessa di morte" (Turandot & Calaf)

Recommended Recordings

• Callas (Turandot), Fernandi (Calaf), Schwarzkopf (Liu)
• Nilsson (Turandot), Corelli (Calaf), Scotto (Liu)

Upcoming Performances

• October 2008-January 2009 - Prague (Statni)
• November 2008-June 2009 - Hamburg (Staatsoper)
• November 2008-July 2009 - Berlin (Deutsch Oper)
• December 2008/January 2009 - London (Royal Opera)
• January/February 2009 - Verona (Teatro)
• February/March 2009 - Philadelphia (Opera)
• April 2009 - Charlotte (Opera Carolina)
• April 2009 - Dresden (Staatsoper)
• April 2009 - Valencia (Artes)
• May 2009 - Zurich (Oper)
• May/June 2009 - Washington, D.C. (Washington Opera)
• July 2009 - Barcelona (Liceu)

Opera's Other Crying Clown

Rigoletto

Giuseppe Verdi

High Notes

Gilda is not a role that Callas performed very often, but she did make an excellent recording.  Gilda's showpiece is "Caro Nome."  The highest not Callas sings in her interpretation is a high D sharp.  To here a high E, which is the tonic of the piece, check out Anna Moffo or Roberta Peters.  Callas also sings a high E flat (which is enharmonic to D sharp) in the duet that she sings with Gobbi at the end of the second act. 

A melodramma in three acts, 2 hours

Composed from 1850 to 1851

Set to a libretto by Francesco Maria Piave after Victor Hugo's tragedy "Le roi s'amuse"

First performed in Venice, Italy, La Fenice, on 11 March 1851.

The cast at the premiere included Felice Varesi (Rigoletto), Teresa Brambilla (Gilda) and Raffaele Mirate (Duke).

Principle Roles

• Rigoletto, hunchback court jester of the Duke.........baritone
• Gilda, Rigoletto's daughter...........................................soprano
• The Duke of Mantua, noble and libertine................tenor
• Sparafucile, a hired assassin......................................bass
• Count Monterone, noble and the Duke's enemy.....bass-baritone
• Maddalena, Sparafucile's sister..................................contralto
• Giovanna, Gilda's nurse.................................................mezzo-soprano

The Story

Rigoletto happily encourages the Duke in his escapades, but his sharp tongue only earns him disfavor among the other courtiers. Among them is Count Monterone, whose daughter has been dishonored by the Duke. Count Monterone vents his anger at the Duke and curses Rigoletto. The courtiers suspect that Rigoletto has a mistress and plot against him. On his way home, Rigoletto is accosted by Sparafucile, who offers Rigoletto his services. After pondering the likeness of their professions, Rigoletto goes home to his dauther, Gilda. She has recentlry returned from school. Rigoletto warns her to stay in the house but she is enamored with a student whom she met at church. The student, however, is actually the Duke. The Duke and his courtiers abduct Gilda. They do so with the aid of Rigoletto who is blindfolded and told they are abducting a countess. When Rigoletto returns to court, he seeks revenge against the Duke and he takes Sparafucile up on his offer. Gilda is still in love with the Duke, but Rigoletto plans to change her mind by taking her to see the Duke with Maddalena. Maddalena's inn is to be the site of the assassination. After spending some time with the Duke, however, Maddalena has also fallen in love. She begs her brother to spare his life. Sparafucile agrees to kill the next man to come thru the door in the Duke's place and place the body in a bag for Rigoletto to drag away. Gilda overhears the plan and disguises herself as a man and enters the inn. She is killed, placed in a bag and given to Rigoletto. While dragging the body, he hears the Duke singing from the inn and opens the bag to discover his daughter.

Notable Incipits

• "Questa o quella per me pari sono" (Duke)
• "Caro nome" (Gilda)
• "Tutte le feste al tempio" (Rigoletto & Gilda)
• "La donna e mobile" (Duke)
• "Bella figlia d'more" (Rigoletto, Gilda, Duke & Maddalena)

Recommended Recordings

• Gobbi (Rigoletto), Callas (Gilda), Di Stefano (Duke)
• Milnes (Rigoletto), Sutherland (Gilda), Pavarotti (Duke)

Upcoming Performances

• October/November 2008 - Paris
• October 2008-January 2009 - Prague (Statni)
• October 2008-June 2009 - Zurich (Oper)
• January-April 2009 - New York (Metropolitan)
• March/April 2009 - Hamburg (Staatsoper)
• April/May 2009 - Houston Grand Opera
• June 2009 - Madrid (Real)
• September 2009 - Buenos Aires (Colon)