Opera Flashcards
The lyrics in an opera/musical
libretto?
Music played at the beginning of an opera that serves as a preview of what’s about to happen
overture
a solo song in an opera
aria
type of opera that has some speaking parts and a happy ending
opera comique
speech-like style of singing
recitative
light, instrumental music performed between acts of an opera
entr’acte music
Les Mis is based on the novel of the same name by this French author
Victor Hugo
Les Mis first premiered in this year
September 24, 1980
composed the music in Les Mis
Claude-Michel Schoenberg
wrote lyrics for Les Mis
Alain Boubil, Herbert Kretzmer, and Jean-Marc Natel
Les Mis was originally in this language
French
What is the setting of Les Mis?
Paris, France
Time period of Les Mis
early 1800s
Jean Valjean’s prison number
24601!
Why was Jean Valjean in prison?
he stole some bread for his sister’s son
Why does the revolution led by the students fail?
The French people don’t help them, and the rain ruined some gun ammunition
Jean Valjean: 2 words to describe the character and how they relate to another character in the story.
loving and caring. He is the adoptive father of Cosette
Javert: 2 words to describe the character and how they relate to another character in the story.
persistent and cruel. He is obsessed with Jean Valjean and he chases him all throughout the story till the end
Marius: 2 words to describe the character and how they relate to another character in the story.
passionate and romantic. He gets married to Cosette
Cosette: 2 words to describe the character and how they relate to another character in the story.
gracious and a hopeless romantic. She get married to Marius and is the adopted daughter of Jean Valjean
Fantine: 2 words to describe the character and how they relate to another character in the story.
hard-working and devoted. She is the mother of Cosette
Carmen works here with lots of other girls
cigarette factory
Carmen is set in this country
Spain
Carmen is sung in this language
French
Year Carmen premiered
1875
Composed Carmen
George Bizet
2 reasons Carmen was so controversial when it premiered
It has violence and death. It was supposed to have a happy ending.
In this aria, Carmen sings “love is like a rebellious bird that no one can tame” and “a gypsy child who has never known the law”
Habanera
In this aria, Escamillo sings “a dark eye that watches” as the bullfighter fights, and that “love awaits” him
Toreador Song
Carmen: 2 words to describe the character and how they relate to another character in the story.
seductive, carefree. She is the lover of Don Jose and Escamillo. Killed by Don Jose
Don Jose: 2 words to describe the character and how they relate to another character in the story.
possessive, emotional. Was Micaela’s boyfriend/fiance, was Carmen’s lover, kills Carmen
Micaela: 2 words to describe the character and how they relate to another character in the story.
innocent, naive. was Don Jose’s girlfriend/fiance
Escamillo: 2 words to describe the character and how they relate to another character in the story.
confident, arrogant. He and Carmen fall in love
These performances featured an exaggerated portrayal of black people. White performers would wear black face.
Minstrel shows
In this type of show, the stories became more real and the music was integrated more logically into the story
Musical Comedies/ Broadway Musicals
These shows were a succession of single acts with singers, dancers, jugglers, magicians, and animal acts. They were typically headlined by a well-known comedian or singer.
Vaudeville
The richest time period for Broadway musicals/musical comedies? (years and shows)
1927-1957. Show Boat. West Side Story
This minstrel show composer wrote songs like, My Old Kentucky Home, Oh Susannah, and Camptown Races
Stephen Foster
WSS is based on this story
Romeo and Juliet
The movie version of WSS came out in this year
1961
Who composed WSS?
Leonard Bernstein
Who wrote the lyrics in WSS?
Stephen Sondheim
Who wrote the WSS book?
Arthur Laurents
Who choreographed WSS?
Jerome Robbins
How did Leonard Bernstein become famous overnight as the assistant conductor of the NY Philharmonic?
He has been appointed an assistant to Arthur Rodinksi who was the conductor. A few weeks later, a guest conductor got sick and Rodinksi was out of town. With a few hours notice, Bernstein took over the concert and became famous overnight.
In WSS, the 2 main characters (tony and maria) met and fell in love at this event
a dance
the setting of WSS
Manhattan
Instead of the Capulets and Montagues, WSS has the….
The sharks and the jets
What are the two gangs fighting over?
territory
Name of the Puerto Rican gang in WSS
sharks
Name of the American gang in WSS
jets
At the end of the movie, Monica said the 3 boys weren’t killed with weapons, but with….
hate
Tony: 2 words to describe the character and how they relate to another character in the story.
caring, loyal. He is Maria’s boyfriend, kills Bernardo
Maria: 2 words to describe the character and how they relate to another character in the story.
naive, hopeless Romantic. Bernardo’s sister. Tony’s girlfriend.
Anita: 2 words to describe the character and how they relate to another character in the story.
naggy, moody. She is Bernardo’s girlfriend.
Bernardo: 2 words to describe the character and how they relate to another character in the story.
deceiving and hateful. Maria’s brother, Riff’s killer, and Anita’s boyfriend
