
Giuseppe Verdi
NOT written to celebrate the opening of the Suez Canal Third most-performed opera in North America behind Madame Butterfly and La Boheme Verdi's last opera (1893) Based on a play by Hugo, it is the ninth most-performed opera in North America "Va, pensiero, sull'ali dorate" is its best-known number An "operatic dramma lirico" in four acts Features a large female chorus of witches singing in 3-part harmony 17th most performed opera in North America "A Masked Ball", set in Boston; composed, 1857-8 and first performed 17 Feb. 1859, Teatro Apollo, Rome Many old school Italian singers felt the opera was cursed and brought bad luck First performance at the Paris Opera in March 1867 Based on the play by Antonio Gutierrez In Otello, Verdi tried to do away with the traditional recitative-aria structure of opera Italian composer, mainly of operas 1813-1901; composer of many well-known operas (1844) Based on Victor Hugo's play, "Hernani". - (1842) "Va, pensiero" (also known as the Hebrew's Chorus) is thought of by many native Italians as their "unofficial" national anthem, and is often sung on patriotic occasions. - From Shakespeare's play.
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