Explore tens of thousands of sets crafted by our community.
Opera Plot Summaries: Part 2
29
Flashcards
0/29
Madama Butterfly
Cio-Cio-San, known as Madama Butterfly, awaits the return of her American husband, Lieutenant Pinkerton. When he finally returns with his American wife, the story ends tragically with Butterfly's suicide.
The Barber of Seville
A comic opera featuring Figaro, the barber, who assists Count Almaviva in winning the heart of the lovely Rosina away from her guardian, Dr. Bartolo, through a series of humorous schemes.
Die Fledermaus
The light-hearted operetta revolves around a masquerade ball, mistaken identities, and lighthearted revenge among friends, particularly focusing on the pranks of Dr. Falke on his friend Eisenstein.
Aida
Set in ancient Egypt, Aida, an Ethiopian princess enslaved in Egypt, is caught in a love triangle with Radamès, an Egyptian military commander, and the Pharaoh's daughter Amneris.
Das Rheingold
The prelude to Wagner's 'Ring' cycle, this opera follows the gods' quest for the Rhine gold, which grants power to rule the world. The dwarf Alberich and the god Wotan are central figures in the struggle for the gold.
Otello
Verdi's opera, based on Shakespeare's play 'Othello', is a dramatic tale of jealousy and deceit. The villain Iago tricks Otello into believing his wife Desdemona has been unfaithful, leading to a tragic ending.
La Traviata
The courtesan Violetta falls deeply in love with Alfredo Germont. Social pressures and family disapproval lead to their separation, but they are tragically reunited just before Violetta's death from tuberculosis.
Eugene Onegin
Tchaikovsky's opera based on Pushkin's novel, tells the story of a selfish hero who lives to regret his blasé rejection of a young woman's love and his careless incitement of a fatal duel with his best friend.
Tosca
The tragic tale of Floria Tosca, a passionate singer who resorts to murder to save her lover, Cavaradossi, from the sadistic police chief, Scarpia, before the story concludes with a dramatic twist.
Don Giovanni
The notorious seducer Don Giovanni crimes finally lead him to a fiery demise. After ruthlessly killing the Commendatore, he encounters numerous interactions with angered former conquests and their families.
Rigoletto
The jester Rigoletto tries to protect his daughter, Gilda, from the Duke of Mantua's advances, but his plan for revenge goes tragically wrong when Gilda sacrifices herself to save the Duke's life.
Il Trovatore
The troubadour Manrico and his rival, Count di Luna, vie for the love of Leonora, unaware that they are brothers. Their mother, Azucena, seeks vengeance for past wrongs, leading to a fatal conclusion.
Turandot
This opera narrates the story of the cruel Princess Turandot, who challenges her suitors to solve three riddles; failure leads to death. Prince Calaf falls for her and wins the challenge, ultimately melting her cold heart with love.
Siegfried
The third part of Wagner's 'Ring' cycle follows the heroic Siegfried as he forges the broken sword Nothung, slays the dragon Fafner, and awakens the slumbering Brünnhilde with a kiss.
Norma
Bellini's tragic opera tells the story of the Druid priestess Norma, who is in love with Pollione, a Roman proconsul. Betrayal, forbidden love, and vengeance lead to Norma's ultimate sacrifice.
Elektra
Strauss's intense one-act opera follows Elektra as she seeks revenge for her father, Agamemnon's, murder. The story culminates in her and her sister's brutal killing of their mother, Klytemnestra, and her lover.
Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)
Prince Tamino is tasked with rescuing Pamina from the high priest Sarastro with the help of the bird-catcher Papageno, only to discover that Sarastro is good and the Queen of the Night is the true villain.
Lohengrin
A mysterious knight, Lohengrin, arrives to defend the innocent Elsa of Brabant but must leave her when she violates his only condition: she must never ask his name or origin.
Faust
Gounod's opera tells the story of the aged philosopher Faust, who, with the help of Mephistopheles, regains his youth and pursues the innocent Marguerite, leading to tragedy for all involved.
Der Rosenkavalier
Set in 18th century Vienna, the opera comically and tenderly depicts the affair between the aristocratic Marschallin and the young Count Octavian, who is also involved with the beautiful Sophie.
Götterdämmerung
The conclusion of Wagner's 'Ring' cycle, which sees Siegfried betrayed and murdered, Brünnhilde's self-sacrifice, and the ultimate destruction of the gods along with the return of the ring to the Rhine maidens.
Orpheus and Eurydice
The Greek myth of Orpheus, who descends into the underworld to retrieve his beloved wife Eurydice, only to lose her again when he disobeys the gods' commands not to look back.
The Tales of Hoffmann
Offenbach's opera follows the poet Hoffmann as he recounts his doomed love affairs with three women: the mechanical doll Olympia, the ailing singer Antonia, and the courtesan Giulietta.
Die Walküre
In the second installment of Wagner's 'Ring' cycle, the human siblings Siegmund and Sieglinde fall in love, while Wotan's daughter, the Valkyrie Brünnhilde, disobeys her father and faces punishment.
The Marriage of Figaro
Count Almaviva's valet, Figaro, is set to marry Susanna, the Countess's maid. Through a series of humorous and intricate plots, they outwit the Count's efforts to seduce Susanna and reaffirm the love of the Count and Countess.
La Bohème
Set in Paris, this opera follows the love story between the poet Rodolfo and the consumptive seamstress Mimì, intertwined with the lives of their bohemian friends, ending with Mimì's tragic death.
Parsifal
Wagner’s final opera, recounting the story of Parsifal, a 'pure fool' enlightened by compassion who seeks the Holy Grail to restore it to the community of the Grail Knights.
Carmen
Set in Seville, Spain, this opera centers on Carmen, a seductive gypsy who charms the corporal Don José, leading him to desertion from the army, and eventually to his downfall.
Lucia di Lammermoor
Lucia is forced to marry against her will which leads to her mental breakdown and the renowned 'mad scene'. Tragic miscommunications result in the death of both lovers.
© Hypatia.Tech. 2024 All rights reserved.