Romantic Opera

Question 1

Giuseppe Verdi

Answer 1

• (1813-1901)
• Born in northern Italy
• Verdi’s melodies are lush and romantic, but always catchy and tuneful

Question 2

“La Traviata”

Answer 2

• Violetta
  
  • sick with tuberculosis
• her lover, Alfredo, wants to take her away from the city, in hopes that a life away from urban excesses will save her
• sound of waltz permeate the opera through creative use of triple meter
• Two-part aria after Violetta’s recitative
  
  • 1) lyrical cavatina - “Ah, fors’e lui”/”Ah perhaps he is the one”
  • 2) lively cabaletta -“Sempre libera “/”Always free”