Grand Opera Trivia Quiz

Answer: Gioachino Rossini

'William Tell' was the final opera composed by Rossini, and received its premiere in Paris, in 1829. It tells the story of the Swiss hero, William Tell, renowned for shooting an apple placed on the head of his son. The opera is probably best known for its overture, which was adapted as the theme tune to the television series 'The Lone Ranger'.

Answer: Richard Wagner

Richard Wagner wrote four operas based on the Norse saga, 'The Song of the Nibelungs'. 'Ride of the Valkyries' was part of the second opera called 'The Valkyrie', or 'Die Walküre'. Its premiere was in Munich in 1870. Richard Wagner (1813 -1883) was a German composer who was also known for his operas, 'Lohengrin', and 'Tristan und Isolde'.

Answer: Alexander Borodin

'Prince Igor' is set in the late 12th century and tells the story of the military campaign of a Russian prince (the titular Igor) against the Polvotsians - otherwise known as the nomadic Cuman people who inhabited eastern Europe and the area around the River Volga. Borodin spent nearly 20 years working on it and died before completing it - that task was left to fellow composers Alexander Glazunov and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, who prepared it for its debut in St. Petersburg in 1890.

Answer: Ruggero Leoncavallo

The opera tells the story of a troupe of clowns and the problems caused when Nedda, the wife of Canio, falls in love with another member of the group. 'Pagliacci' is the only opera composed by Leoncavallo to be regularly performed. It was first staged in 1892, in Milan.

Answer: Giuseppe Verdi

'La traviata', which premiered in 1853, translates into English as 'The Fallen Woman' and was about a young woman named Violetta who gave up her opulent lifestyle as courtesan in Paris to move to the country with her lover, Alfredo. However, her happiness turned out to be short-lived and the opera ends with her death from tuberculosis. Verdi was particularly noted for his operas, which also included 'Nabucco', 'Rigoletto' and 'Aida'.

Answer: Giacomo Puccini

Giacomo Puccini composed 'La boheme' and it had its world premiere in 1896. It told of the bohemian culture during 1930s Paris. Seamstress, Mimi, fell in love with her neighbour Rodolfo who lived in the same attic space as painter Marcello, musician Schaunard, and philosopher Colline. Their love was doomed as Mimi fell ill. 'Rent the Musical' is a modern take on the old classic.

Answer: Richard Strauss

The opera is based on Oscar Wilde's play, written in French, of the Bible story of the death of John the Baptist. Once Strauss had seen the play, he was inspired to write his opera, featuring the 'Dance of the Seven Veils'. The first performance was in Dresden, in 1905.

Answer: Bedrich Smetana

'The Bartered Bride' is a comic opera, composed by the Czech composer Smetana and first performed in Prague in 1866. The composer used traditional folk tunes and dances to tell the story of a young village couple who have to overcome various obstacles before being able to marry.

Answer: Benjamin Britten

Benjamin Britten's operatic tale about a fisherman named Peter Grimes was first performed in 1945. It is based on a poem of the same name by George Crabbe and is set in a fictional village in Crabbe's (and Britten's) home county of Suffolk. The story charts Grimes' descent into madness following the death of his apprentice and the increasingly hostile attitude he experiences from the villagers.

Answer: Georges Bizet

The opera 'Carmen' was inspired by the book written by Prosper Mérimée and published in 1845. The music was composed by Frenchman, Georges Bizet. The opera was told in four parts and featured gypsy girl Carmen who brought about the downfall of soldier, Don José. It featured the classical 'Flower Song', 'Toreador Song' and 'Habanera'.