Vocal Repetoire

4 Pages 1096 Words

1.) Bizet, Georges (1838-1875). “Carmen.” Habanera, (1875)
G. Schirmer, Inc., 1937.

George Bizet’s “Carmen” is arguably the most popular opera in the world. Comprised of four acts, it is based on the novella of Prosper
Merimee’s. The libretto is by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halevy. The first performance was held at the Theatre National de l’Opera in Paris, France on March 3, 1875. Critics were not receptive of Bizet’s opera at first, but as time went on, its success increased to what it is today.

This French opera mimics the styles of Spanish Gypsies, known as flamenco. Habanera, the famous aria sung by a gypsy named Carmen, is based on a melody by Sebastian Yradier. The song is based on a dance style, as habanera is a slow dance originated in Havana, Cuba that is in duple meter. Carmen, a mezzo-soprano/dramatic mezzo, comes out of a factory and sings this seductive aria. Ranging from D4 to F#/G 5, Carmen sings of love and its unpredictable actions.

2.) Offenbach, Jacques (1819-1880). “Les Contes d’Hoffmann.” Elle a fui, la tourterelle (1881).
G. Schirmer, Inc., 1953.

Jacques Offenbach’s “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” is based on the play written by Jules Barbiere and Michel Carre, “Les Contes fantastiques
D’Hoffmann.” Debuting on February 10, 1881 at the Opera-Comique in Paris, France, the French opera is composed of three acts. The libretto is by Jules Barrier.

Elle a fui, la tourterelle is an aria from “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” that is sung by a sick woman named Antonia. Singing from a room in Crespel’s house, in Munich, Antonia laments over a lost lover. Wishing he would return to her, Antonia, a lyric soprano, sings Elle a fui, la tourterelle, which ranges from D4 to A6 with the tessitura being G4 to F#/G 5.

3.) Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus (1756-1791). “Le Nozze di Figaro.” Voi, che sapete, (1786).
G. Schirmer, Inc., 1956.

“Le Nozze di Figar...