Mozart's Four Famous Operas

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 6 people | Log in to rate

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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791) was one of the most productive composers of classical music. Many people love him for the chamber music and the symphonies he wrote, but many people also love him for his operas.

He actually wrote more than the four I picked out, but those four are the most famous.

Most of his operas have a funny touch to them, they belong to the category "opera buffa". "Don Giovanni" however is something different. Whereas Osmin, the overseer is at the same time funny and cruel, Don Giovanni is just evil. In all the three other operas the loving couples are united again; in "Don Giovanni" the "Hero" goes to hell.

There are rumours that Mozart wrote this opera because he had a bad conscience regarding acting against his father's advice and so causing his father's death. But whatever his reasons for composing that opera were - it is wonderful music as well!

 

The Abduction from the Seraglio 

Mozart completed the "Abduction from the Seraglio" (in German: "Entführung aus dem Serail") in 1782 in Vienna.

The story of the opera is quite simple: Belmonte's beloved Konstanze is abducted by Turks to the seraglio of the Pasha Selim. Belmonte tries to get her out of it with the help of his servant Pedrillo. He fails, however. Konstanze, Belmonte and Pedrillo appeal for mercy, and in the end Pasha Selim allows them to leave.

In spite of the Turks having been a threat to Austria only a few years ago there was a general interest in Turkish music and culture. Mozart built his opera on that interest, however he "westernized" the music a bit.

Aria of Osmin 

Osmin, the overseer, has discovered Pedrillo and his beloved, Blonde and is now expressing his triumphant feelings. He is singing about how the two will be executed.

Entfuhrung aus dem Serail - Wie will ich triumphieren

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The Marriage of Figaro 

The plot of the opera is a play by Beaumarchais: and is rather complicated: There are the Count and the Countess, their servants Figaro and Susanne and a page called Cherubino. The Count wants to seduce Susanne. The page Cherubino is in love with the Countess. The Count decides to send Cherubino off as a soldier to a far away country. The Countess and Susanne conspire to prevent that from happening. In the end the Count is humiliated, the Countess declares her intention to forgive him and Figaro and Susanne marry.

The play was first banned because of the treatment of the aristocracy; the opera however, completed in 1786 was one of Mozart's most famous.

The Marriage of Figaro - Overture 

The overture is especially famous and often played as a concert piece.
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Don Giovanni 

Mozart completed this opera in 1787.

Don Giovanni is a young nobleman who loves to make one amorous conquest after the other. He doesn't even shrink back from raping women. In the final scene of the last act the statue of the commendatore whom he killed in the first act appears and tries to convince him to change his life. Don Giovanni refuses. When the statue disappears amidst flames it takes Don Giovanni with it - into hell.

Don Giovanni's last scene 

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Books about Mozart's Operas 

Mozart and His Operas

Amazon Price: $23.96 (as of 11/30/2009) Buy Now

Mozart's Operas: A Companion

Amazon Price: $23.10 (as of 11/30/2009) Buy Now

The Complete Operas Of Mozart (Da Capo Paperback)

Amazon Price: $17.95 (as of 11/30/2009) Buy Now

The Magic Flute 

Mozart completed the opera "The Magic Flute" in 1791.

The Queen of the Night sends off the young prince Tamino in order to save her daughter Pamina who has been kidnapped by Sarastro. Bird catcher Papageno accompanies him. Both have magical instruments: Tamino a magical flute and Papageno magical chimes.

Sarastro, who has been described as an evil man by the Queen of the Night, proves himself as a good and warmhearted man. The Queen of tne Night however is evil, and Tamino and Papageno have to pass three exams before they are united with Pamina and Pagagena. In the end, the Queen of the Night is destroyed.

Pamino: This image is enchantingly lovely, Like no eye has ever beheld! 

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Do you want to know more about Mozart? 

Your favorite Mozart Operas  

Mozart - Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) / Levine, Battle, Serra, Metropolitan Opera

Mozart - Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) / Levine, Battle, Serra, Metropolitan Opera

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Lensmaster ulla_hennig has been a member since May 31 2009, has rated 308 lenses, favorited 28, and has created 38 lenses from scratch. This member's top-ranked page is "George Frideric Handel". See all my lenses

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I have been living in Berlin since 1981. I work at the University of the Arts as web editor, and in my free time I take photographs and write blog pos... (more)

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