Classical Music 101 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Igor Stravinsky

'The Rite of Spring' (Original French Title: 'Le sacre du printemps') is a ballet that was first presented on May 20, 1913 at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris by the Ballets Russes. The music was by the Russian composer Igor Stravinsky, the original choreography by Vaslav Nijinsky, and the set design and costumes by Nicholas Roerich. The impresario was Serge Diaghilev. It had the subtitle 'Pictures from Pagan Russia' (translated in French as: 'Tableaux de la Russie paďenne').

Answer: Peter Ilitch Tchaikovsky

The Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 74, 'Pathétique', written between February and August 1893, is Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's final completed symphony. Tchaikovsky led its first performance on October 28 of that year, in Saint Petersburg, nine days before his death. Its music has been featured in many films and was the basis for many popular songs. The Sixth Symphony was featured during the 2010 Winter Olympics closing ceremony, danced by the National Ballet Company of Russia.

Answer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

'The Marriage of Figaro' is a comic opera in four acts, composed in 1786 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The Italian libretto was by Lorenzo Da Ponte, which was based on a comedy by Pierre Beaumarchais. It premiered in Vienna, at the Burgtheater, on May 1st,1786, and is one of Mozart's most successful works.

Answer: Antonin Dvorák

Antonín Dvorák composed the New World Symphony in 1893, during his 1892 to 1895 visit to the United States. It is Dvorák's most popular symphony, and one of the most popular in the modern repertoire. During his stay in the US, Dvorák wrote the following: "I am convinced that the future music of this country must be founded on what are called Negro melodies.

These can be the foundation of a serious and original school of composition, to be developed in the United States. These beautiful and varied themes are the product of the soil.

They are the folk songs of America and your composers must turn to them."(source Wikipedia).

Answer: Aida

Verdi was commissioned to write the opera 'Aida' by Isma'il Pasha, Khedive of Egypt, and was paid 150,000 francs for his work. When 'Aida' opened in Cairo on December 24th, 1871, it was an instant success. The Italian premiere was held at La Scala de Milan on February 8th, 1872, with Teresa Stolz singing the part of Aida.

Answer: Georges Bizet

Georges Bizet wrote the French opéra "Carmen", which was his final opera. The libretto is based on the novella of the same name by Prosper Mérimée. The opera premiered at the Opéra-Comique of Paris on March 3rd, 1875, and was so badly received that after a few performance, in order to stimulate attendance, the theatre was giving tickets away. Bizet died on June 3rd, 1875 of a heart attack, at age 36, and never knew how famous his last work would become.

Answer: Ludwig van Beethoven

'For Elise' (German: "Fur Elise") is one of Ludwig van Beethoven's best known compositions. It was published 41 years after the composer's death, in 1867. There has been a lot of speculation as to who was the 'Elise' the piece was dedicated to, but it has never been ascertained.

Answer: Giacomo Puccini

Puccini's 'Madama Butterfly', an opera in three acts, was based in part on 'Madame Butterfly' by John Luther Long, published in 1898, and on the novel "Madame Chrysanthčme" (1887) by Pierre Loti. The opera premiered on February 17, 1904, at La Scala de Milan, and at first, was not well received.

After revisions, 'Madama Butterfly' became the opera most performed in the United States. It is the story of Cio-Cio-San, a Japanese geisha, in love with an American Navy Lieutenant, B. F. Pinkerton, who deserts her and marries an American woman.

In the last act, Cio-Cio-San, abandoned and desperate, kills herself.

Answer: Jean Sibelius

The Finnish composer Jean Sibelius wrote the first version of 'Finlandia', (Op. 26), as a symphonic poem, in 1899, and revised it in 1900. Sibelius later redid the 'Finlandia Hymn' as an indivial piece. With words written in 1941 by Veikko Antero Koskenniemi, this hymn is one of the most important national songs of Finland. With different lyrics, it is a Christian hymn ('Be Still, My Soul'), and was the national anthem of Biafra ('Land of the Rising Sun').

Answer: The Thieving Magpie

'La Gazza Ladra' (The Thieving Magpie) is a melodramma (opera semiseria) in two acts, composed by Gioachino Rossini. Rossini was famous for his writing speed, and there is a legend that the day before the first performance, the producer locked Rossini in a room to write the overture. Rossini threw each sheet out of the window, and his copyists then wrote out the full orchestral parts. 'La Gazza Ladra' was first performed on May 31st,1817 at La Scala de Milan.