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La traviata >>
The Italian Girl in Algiers >>

Carmen
Sat. Nov. 10 at 8 p.m., Tue. Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m., Fri. Nov. 16 at 8 p.m., Sun. Nov. 18 at 3 p.m.

Composed by Georges Bizet
Libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy

Although it was considered a failure at its premiere at the Opéra-Comique of Paris on March 3, 1875, Carmen is now among the most popular operas in the world. This success is largely attributable to the melodic and memorable arias, such as the famous "Habañera" and the Toreador's Song, that Bizet composed. Sample these famous works below.

Habañera ("L'amour est un oiseau rebel") The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden Conductor: Antonio Pappano © 2009		Les Toreadors ("Votre toast, je peux vous le rendre") Vienna State Opera Conductor: Carlos Kleiber © 1978
The Flower Song ("La fleur que tu m'avais jetée") Vienna State Opera Conductor: Carlos Kleiber © 1978		La Seguidilla ("Près des ramparts de Séville") The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden Conductor: Antonio Pappano © 2009

La traviata
Sat. Mar. 2 at 8 p.m., Tue. Mar. 5 at 7:30 p.m., Fri. Mar. 8 at 8 p.m., Sun. Mar. 10 at 3 p.m.

Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave

Composed by Verdi, one of the most prolific and popular opera composers of all time, La traviata is a treasured classic, overflowing with memorable music. Hollywood has often mined this masterpiece for film soundtracks, and you have most likely heard some of the music below.

Brindisi ("Libiamo ne' lieti calici") Courtesy of United Classics Director: Franco Zeffirelli ©1982		Sempre Libera Wiener Philharmoniker Conductor: Carlo Rizzi © 2005
Parigi, O Cara Wiener Philharmoniker Conductor: Carlo Rizzi © 2005		Addio del pasato Wiener Philharmoniker Conductor: Carlo Rizzi © 2005
Pura siccome un angelo The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden Conductor: Sir Georg Solti © 1994		Di Provenza il mar The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden Conductor: Sir Georg Solti © 1994

The Italian Girl in Algiers
Sat. Apr. 27 at 8 p.m., Tue. Apr. 30 at 7:30 p.m., Fri. May 3 at 8 p.m., Sun. May 5 at 3 p.m.

Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Libretto by Angelo Anelli

Premiered at Teatro San Benedetto in Venice, Italy on May 22, 1813, The Italian Girl in Algiers is a perfect example of classical opera buffa ("comic opera") by the master composer of the genre, Rossini.

Overture The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra Conductor: James Levine © 1986		Cruda sorte... amor tirano The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra Conductor: James Levine © 1986
Oh! Che muso, che figura! Orquestra Solistas Barrocos Conductor: Ricardo González Marinov © 2005		Pensa alla patria, e intrepid The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra Conductor: James Levine © 1986