“Largo al factotum” from The Barber of Seville – Gioachino Rossini
The title character of Rossini’s most popular opera is Figaro, the clever town factotum, or jack-of-all-trades. We are introduced to him in Act One with this virtuoso entrance aria in which he brags about his manifold skills, while also complaining about how beset he is by all the simultaneous requests for his services. In the aria’s final flourish, he indulges in self-congratulatory accolades.
“Ah! Non credea mirarti/Ah non giunge” from – La Somnambula
Vincenzo Bellini (1801-1835)
Bellini’s 1831 opera, La Somnambula (The Sleepwalker), is a prime example of the Italian bel canto tradition. Many famous sopranos, starting with Giuditta Pasta and Maria Malibran, have been associated with the role of Amina. This demanding role calls for a host of virtuoso vocal techniques, including trills and florid runs and arabesques. Many plot twists are typical in bel canto operas. Amina is suspected to have been unfaithful to her betrothed, Elvino. As Amina sleepwalks dangerously across an unstable high bridge, watched by she sings this scena (recitative and aria), lamenting Elvino’s rejection and, holding a withered flower he had given to her, proves her enduring love for him. All is set right in the end.
“Recondita armonia” from Tosca – Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924)
Puccini became heir to the great Italian operatic tradition passed down through the Bel Canto age through the towering achievements of Giuseppe Verdi. Tosca, based on a true story set in Rome in 1800 during a period of political turbulence, features the celebrated opera diva, Floria Tosca, the lover of the political refugee, Mario Cavaradossi, and the evil Baron Scarpia, the chief of police who lusts after Tosca. In Act One, Mario is painting a portrait of Mary Magdalene and sings his romanza comparing the beauty of Tosca to the painting. The libretto concludes with the lines “Art, in its mysterious way/blends the contrasting beauties together…/
But while I’m painting her,/My only thought is of you,/Tosca, it is of you!
“Margaret’s Lullaby” from Margaret Garner – Richard Danielpour
Danielpour’s opera, Margaret Garner, with a libretto by Toni Morrison is loosely based on a historical runaway slave of the same name. It was created as a co-commission of the Michigan Opera Theatre, the Cincinnati Opera, and the Opera Company of Philadelphia.Garner’s tragic story also formed the basis of Morrison’s 1987 novel, Beloved, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. The opera had its premiere in Detroit in May 2005 with Denyce Graves cast in the title role. It has enjoyed several stagings since that time. “Margaret’s Lullaby” comes in the first of the opera’s two acts. It creates for the audience a deep feeling of sympathyfor Margaret as she gently shows her love for her children.
“O patria mia” from Aida – Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)
Verdi’s grand opera, Aida, received its first performance on December 24, 1871 at the Khedival Opera House in Cairo. Its title character is the Ethiopian princess who has been captured by the Egyptians. Despite her captivity, she is the beloved of the Egyptian General, Radamès, much to the dismay of the jealous Amneris. This triangle is set in a political background. In the aria “O patria mia,” Aida reveals her torment created by her love of her country standing in conflict with her love for Radamès.
“É la solita storia” from L’Arlesiana – Francesco Cilea (1866-1950)
Italian master Cilea’s third opera, L’Arlesiana, based on Alphonse Daudet’s play,received its premiere in 1897 at the Teatro Lirico in Milan. Georges Bizet’s incidental music to the same play is frequently performed by orchestras throughout the world. The celebrated tenor, Enrico Caruso, created the role of Federico, whose lament, È la solita storia del pastore, has become a favorite of tenors ever since. Federico is in love with a girl from Arles, despite the fact that his family has betrothed him to another woman. In Leopoldo’s libretto, he sings,
It’s the old tale of the shepherd…
The poor boy wanted to retell it
And he fell asleep.
There is oblivion in sleep.
How I envy him!
I too would like to sleep like that
To find oblivion at least in slumber!
I am searching only for peace.
I would like to be able to forget everything!
Program Note by David B. Levy, ©2026
