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ABC's of Opera- The Magic in Opera

Welcome Students and Teachers to Opera Online! Only two more episodes of our summer webisodes. This week we will look at three of the most popular magical operas, Mozart's The Magic Flute, Gaetano Donizetti's Elixir of Love, and Engelbert Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel.

Video Clips of the Week!
Mozart's magical comedy The Magic Flute tells the story of Tamino, a handsome prince who must face several trials to win the hand and heart of his princess. In the first video clip we are introduced to Papageno, a bird catcher who helps Tamino on his trecherous journey.

Gaetano Donizetti's Elixir of Love follows Nemorino, a simple peasant who is convinced that a love potion will win him the heart of the landowner's beautiful daughter, Adina. The second video clip is the most famous tenor aria from the opera, "Una furtiva lagrima". Played by Rolando Villazon, Nemorino sings about spying a "furtive tear" from Adina, which is proof that she loves him.

The final video clip comes from the opera Hansel and Gretel. Lost in the woods, Hansel and Gretel come across the Sandman, who sings them a lullaby. Before the children fall asleep they say their prayers in a beautiful duet. In this clip from the Metropolitan Opera production the Sandman is played by mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke, mezzo-soprano Alice Coote is Hansel, and soprano Christine Schäfer is Gretel.


"Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja", The Magic Flute, Papageno





"Una furtiva lagrima", The Elixir of Love, Rolando Villazon




"Sandman song and Evening Prayers", Hansel and Gretel






Website of the Week!!
Want to see these operas from the comfort of your own home? Check out this 2006 movie based on The Magic Flute and the puppet production of Hansel and Gretel.



Opera on the Air!!
On Saturday, September 3rd at 1 PM, radio station WRTI will be broadcasting the San Fransisco Opera's production of George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. George Gershwin miraculously melded classical music, popular song, jazz, blues and spirituals in this quintessentially American masterpiece that tells the poignant story of a crippled beggar, the headstrong woman he loves, and the community that sustains them both. Conducted by Ian Robertson the production is sung by a strong cast headed by bass Eric Owens and soprano Laquita Mitchell in the title roles.

Have a great Labor Day weekend! Next week we'll start looking at the OCP production of Carmen!

Until Next Week!!

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