Semi-staged operas

COSI FAN TUTTE – Mozart

The opera, Cosi fan tutte or ‘The School for Lovers’ premiered in January 1790 at the Burgtheater, Vienna and later in May 1811 at His Majesty’s Theatre London. At the time it was regarded as immoral and frivolous but is now considered a musical and theatrical masterpiece. With six principal characters it is the perfect opera for a small-scale performance. Set in Naples it contains some of Mozart’s most sublime music: the wonderful trio ’Soave sia il vento’, the arias ‘Come scoglio’ and ‘un’ aura amorosa’ and some beautiful ensembles which remind us of Mozart’s everlasting musical genius.

LA TRAVIATA – Verdi

One of the world’s most famous operas: premiered at La Fenice, Venice in March 1863. A melodrama in three acts after the play “La dame aux camellias” by Dumas. Set in Paris, the story of the tragic, consumptive Courtisan Violetta and her love for Alfredo and the intervention of Alfredo’s father, Germont Pere. A clear plot, and the overwhelming presence of a single moral idea – that of an ideal of love which survives all man’s attempts to exploit and corrupt it. Containing some of Verdi’s best-loved music: the Brindisi, Violetta’s ‘Sempre libera’, Germont Pere’s ‘di Provenza’, Alfredo’s ‘De’miei bollenti spiriti’ plus stunning duets and ensembles. It is the perfect opera for your Festival or special event.

TOSCA – Puccini

A melodramatic opera in three acts with three main characters: Floria Tosca, Mario Cavaradossi and Baron Scarpia. Premiered in January 1900 at Teatro Costanzi, Rome and on 12th July 1900 at Covent Garden, London. The opera is set in Rome during 1800 with the Kingdom of Naples’s control of Rome threatened by Napoleon's invasion of Italy. This is a story of great love and great jealousy: It contains depictions of torture, murder and suicide, as well as some of Puccini's greatest and best-known lyrical arias including ‘Recondita armonia’, ‘Vissi d’arte’, ‘E luce van le stelle’ and Baron Scarpia’s great ‘Te deum’.

MADAME BUTTERFLY – Puccini

A Japanese tragedy in three acts, based on David Belasco’s play Madame Butterfly that Puccini attended in London (itself based on a short story by John Luther Long). It premiered in February 1904 at La Scala, Milan and appeared in London at Covent Garden in July 1905 and received numerous revisions by Puccini for a few years after its conception. A story showing the contrast between Western and Oriental values but ultimately, the overwhelming love of Butterfly (Cio-Cio-San) for an American Naval Officer, Pinkerton. The tragic ending has Butterfly committing suicide with her father’s dagger. A terrible story, but the opera contains some of Puccini’s most memorable music’ the sensual love duet, Butterfly’s aria ‘Un del di vedremo’ (One Fine Day) and the beautiful Flower Duet.

All our semi-staged operas are presented in period costume and accompanied by piano or chamber orchestra, according to your budget.