Operatic Medieval History III Trivia Quiz

Answer: Il Trovatore

Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) has left us about 26 operas, of which the most famous are "Nabucco" (1843), "Rigoletto" (1851), "Il Trovatore" (1853), "La Traviata" (1853) and "Aida" (1871).
In "Il Trovatore", an old count had a gypsy woman convicted of witchcraft, because his youngest son died. The gypsy's daughter, Azucena, sought revenge by kidnapping one of the two sons of the Count and throwing the child in the pyre.
The young Count di Luna and Manrico, a troubadour raised by Azucena, became enemies in a civil war. But then Azucena confessed her secret: she mistakenly sacrificed her own son, and Manrico is Count di Luna's brother ...

Answer: Carmina Burana

Carl Orff (1895-1982) has left us only fifteen-odd compositions, and none of his other works can match the popularity of the "Carmina Burana".
The abbey of Benediktbeuren was a Benedictine scriptorium and abbey founded in 739. In 1803 a number of manuscripts were discovered, containing several poems in medieval Latin, in Middle High German, in Occitan or Old French. Some poems mix freely the various medieval languages known to the monks.
Orff picked a number of these poems and set them to music. The best known part is "O Fortuna", a bombastic appeal to the goddess of fate.

Answer: Francesca da Rimini

Francesca da Polenta (later named da Rimini) was given into marriage to Giovanni Malatesta, in an effort to make peace between these rival noble families. Alas, Giovanni was paralysed from the waist down, and so Francesca preferred Giovanni's healthy and handsome brother Paolo. When Francesca seduced Paolo, Giovanni found out and killed them both.
This story was eternalised by Dante in the Divina Commedia and has inspired dozens of artists, authors and composers.
Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) was but one of the composers. Rachmaninoff is also known for his three symphonies and four piano concertos.

Answer: Beg Bajazid

"Beg Bajazid" is named not after the warrior sultan Bayezid I, but after the great sultan Bayezid II the Just. Bayezid II (1447-1512) promoted the melting of eastern and western cultures. He evacuated most Muslim and Jewish fugitives from Spain and Portugal, and sought to integrate them in the Ottoman state.
Jan Cikker (1911-1981), a Slovak composer, has left us nine operas and some sypphonic poems. The opera "Beg Bajazid" ("King Bayezid") is a fictional story about the supposed Slovak origin of Bayezid II.

Answer: Tancredi

In 1005 Syracuse was the battle scene for one of the instalments of the continuing wars between the Byzantine and the Ottoman Empire.
Two noble families in Syracuse have decided to make peace, and the peace will be sealed by a marriage of Amenaide to Orbazzano, the main candidate for defending the city walls against the threatening Moors. But Orbazzano calls the wedding off, producing a letter by Amenaide in which she promises her lover to open the gates for him. Orbazzano supposes Amenaide is in love with the Moorish general, whilst in fact her letter was adressed to Tancredi.
Tancredi is then recalled from exile and named general against the Moors. In the ensuing conflict, Tancredi is mortally wounded. He has just enough life in him to marry Amenaide and to die in her arms.
Gioacchino Rossini (1792-1868) was a prolific opera composer. He left us forty-odd operas, of which "Il Barbiere di Sevilla" (1816) and "Guglielmo Tell" (1829) are probably the best known.

Answer: Hamlet

Shakespeare's story of Hamlet, Prince of Denamrk, probably needs no introduction. For the few people who would not be familiar with the story: the Danish king has died, and Hamlet's uncle has occupied the throne. But Hamlet comes to know his uncle has poisoned his father in a most peculiar way. Hamlet seeks revenge...
Ambroise Thomas (1811-1896) was a French composer, who created about twenty operas. The best known of his works are "Mignon" (1866) and "Hamlet" (1870).

Answer: La Favorite

Alphonse XI (as so many monarchs) has a secret mistress, Leonor de Gusman. But then Alphonse's general Fernand falls in love with Leonor too...

Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848) was a prolific Italian opera composer. He completed over 70 operas, of which "L'Elisir d'Amore" (1832) and "Luzia di Lammermoor". (1835) are arguably the most popular.

Answer: Armida

Torquato Tasso described the life and tribulations of Orlando, a crusader who is at some time transported by the witch Armida to an enchanted island. There Armida hopes to distract Orlando from his duties and make love to him eternally.
The story has inspired at least eightteen different composers, including Monteverdi, Handel and Haydn.
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) is best known for his more than 100 symphonies. But he left us also fourteen operas, fourteen masses and the oratorio "Die Schoepfung" (The Creation").

Answer: Das Liebesverbot

Richard Wagner (1813-1883) is of course best known for his dozen tragic operas (including "Parsifal" and "Die Walküre"). But at the start of his career, he also tried his hand at one or two comedies.
In 1836 Wagner directed "Das Liebesverbot", set in Palermo. While the King of Sicily was abroad, his prudish deputy had unearthed an ancient legislation punishing extramarital romances by death. The people were quite upset and revolted against this extreme measure. But upon the return of the king, he declared it was time to start merry courting.

Answer: Macbeth

Shakespeare described in a tragedy how Macbeth, ambitious to become king, sets off on a killing spree - only to be beheade at last by his friend Macduff.

At least five composers have transformed the "Scottish play" into an opera. Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) has created the best known opera "Macbeth" (1847), but I refer here to the 1910 version by Ernst Bloch.
Bloch (1880-1959) was born in Switzerland bt emigrated to the USA, and adopted the American nationality. Besides "Macbeth", his only opera, he left us various compositions for different string instruments and for piano.