Identify The Opera From Its Characters Quiz

Answer: The Barber of Seville

A Rossini opera based on a comedy written by Beaumarchais, "The Barber of Seville" is the story of the secret love affair of Rosina and Count Almaviva. Rosina's guardian Bartolo wants to marry Rosina himself, but Almaviva and Rosina are aided by the quick-witted barber Figaro.

Despite many setbacks, which are mainly resolved by Figaro, Bartolo is unable to ruin the wedding of Almaviva and Rosina, and their love wins out in the end.

Answer: La Traviata

Written by the incomparable Verdi, "La Traviata" ("The Fallen Woman") was first performed in 1853.

Answer: Fidelio

And Leonore, and Florestan...Beethoven's only opera is about a wife who saves her husband from murder at the hands of his political enemy.

Answer: Parsifal

A Wagner opera, first performed in 1882. Extinction threatens the Brotherhood of Knights, who guard the Holy Grail, which is the chalice used at the Last Supper. Only a "pure fool, made wise through pity" can bring salvation to their order, but no one knows who he is, where he can be found, or what he must do to accomplish this.

Answer: Carmen

Bizet based his opera "Carmen" on a work by the French author Prosper Merimee. Bizet was something of a one-hit wonder in the world of classical music. All of his other works were failures, and even "Carmen" was not recognized for the masterpiece that it is until after Bizet's death.

Answer: Salome

Based on the Biblical story of Salome, who demanded the head of John the Baptist, this was an opera by Richard Strauss.

Answer: Semiramide

A Rossini opera based on a play by Voltaire. Semiramide, the Queen of Babylon, has killed her husband King Nino with the help of Assur. This results in a power struggle over who will become the next king. Semiramide bypasses Assur for this role and chooses Arsace to be her new king and husband.

After it is revealed that Arsace is King Nino's son, Assur ends up murdering Semiramide and Arsace officially takes the throne.

Answer: Aïda

By Verdi (1871). Aïda, an Ethiopian princess, is torn between the love of her country and her family, and Radames, the man who loves her.

Answer: Rigoletto

Initially named "La Maledizione" ("The Curse"), Verdi later changed the title of this opera to that of its most unfortunate character.

Answer: La Cenerentola

Another Rossini opera. "La Cenerentola" means "Cinderella" in Italian. In this operatic version of the fairy tale, Don Magnifico (Cenerentola's stepfather) tries to marry off one of his daughters to the prince, Don Ramiro, to improve his bank account.