The composer Gaetano Donizetti, far from being a hack composer of little importance, is a fundamental figure in the development of opera during the nineteenth century.

Nov 24, 2009 – William Halsey

Don Giovanni was commissioned for Opera Prague, opening on October 29, 1787. Based on a libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte, it is one of many versions of the story of Don Juan.

Nov 21, 2009 – Karen Finch

Guide to the plot, characters and history of The Gondoliers, or the King of Barataria (1889), Gilbert & Sullivan's last successful collaboration.

Nov 21, 2009 – Amelia Hill

Guide to the plot, characters and history of Patience, a comic opera by Gilbert and Sullivan.

Nov 20, 2009 – Amelia Hill

Mozart's The Magic Flute is a work based on social commentary of his time. However, contemporary productions continue to demonstrate its timeless appeal.

Nov 19, 2009 – Karen Finch

Guide to the plot, characters and history of Umberto Giordano's opera Andrea Chénier (1896).

Nov 17, 2009 – Amelia Hill

Whether you're specifically looking for opera or simply for beautiful seasonal music, these Christmas recordings by opera stars, old and new, are a perfect choice.

Nov 16, 2009 – Holly Anderson

Guide to the plot, characters and history of Charles Gounod's operatic adaptation of Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet.

Nov 14, 2009 – Amelia Hill

Guide to the plot, characters and history of The Consul, an opera in three acts by Italian-American composer Gian Carlo Menotti.

Nov 13, 2009 – Amelia Hill

Four Saints in Three Acts, an opera by Virgil Thomson and Gertrude Stein, uses the metaphor of saints' lives to explore the role of the artist.

Nov 12, 2009 – Amelia Hill

Guide to the plot, characters, and history of Italian-American composer Gian Carlo Menotti's opera The Medium.

Nov 10, 2009 – Amelia Hill

Ruddigore (1887), the tenth opera by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, was an unsuccessful follow-up to their overwhelming popular Mikado.

Nov 9, 2009 – Amelia Hill

The Wings of the Dove, an English drama by Douglas Moore: opera plot summary, character list, and other Moore opera information.

Nov 8, 2009 – Tel Asiado

Mozart wrote many works intended as part of Masonic practice. There are elements within Flute that can be seen as symbolic of Masonry, but the issue has not been settled.

Nov 6, 2009 – Karen Finch

Free opera scores are a great resource for students, researchers, performers and opera fans. Here are the best sites to find free opera scores online.

Nov 5, 2009 – Amelia Hill

The Magic Flute - Die Zauberflöte - by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) with librettist, Emanuel Schikaneder, premiered on Vienna in September 30, 1791.

Nov 5, 2009 – Karen Finch

Guide to the plot, characters and history of the Faustian opera Mefistofele, by Arrigo Boito.

Nov 3, 2009 – Amelia Hill

Margaret Garner, an opera by Richard Danielpour, is based on the story of the runaway slave. Toni Morrison wrote the libretto based on her novel Beloved.

Nov 2, 2009 – Amelia Hill

Le Pont des Soupirs (The Bridge of Sighs,) a French operetta by Jacques Offenbach: opera plot summary, character list, and other Offenbach opera information.

Nov 1, 2009 – Tel Asiado

The Soldier's Tale, a morality play by Igor Stravinsky. Drama plot summary, character list, and other opera information.

Oct 31, 2009 – Tel Asiado