Famous opera masterpieces | Featuring many great opera singers

Opera Dido and Aeneas (by Henry Purcell)Uīn Kontsentsusu Mujikusu

Purcell: Dido & Aeneas [Harnoncourt] Ann Murray, Rachel Yakar, Scharinger

The orchestral piece begins with a harmony of beautiful melodies that greatly heightens the anticipation for the opera to follow, and that expectation is fulfilled as the entire work is performed.

Dido and Aeneas is one of the masterpieces of Baroque opera and premiered in London in December 1689.

Overture to the opera “Ruslan and Lyudmila”Mikhail Glinka

Overture to the opera “Ruslan and Lyudmila”

Born in 1804, the Russian composer Mikhail Glinka wrote the opera Ruslan and Lyudmila, from which this piece, the Overture, is taken.

Mikhail Glinka gained widespread acclaim abroad and is known as the “father of modern Russian music.” This overture is performed at a consistently presto (fast tempo), resulting in a brilliantly vibrant and dynamic work.

It is very popular among Japanese orchestral ensembles and is performed frequently.

Wagner: Ride of the Valkyries, conducted by Karajan / Bayreuth Festival Orchestra (1951)Richard Wagner

[4,000,000 Views] Wagner: Ride of the Valkyries — Karajan conducting / Bayreuth Festival Orchestra (1951)

Ride of the Valkyries from The Valkyrie, a music drama by the German composer and conductor Richard Wagner, born in 1813.

The Valkyrie is one of the four independent music dramas that make up the cycle The Ring of the Nibelung.

Among them, the prelude to Act III, Ride of the Valkyries, is the most popular and is frequently performed.

Rossini: The Barber of Seville • OvertureGioachino Rossini

Rossini: The Barber of Seville • Overture

Born in 1792, the Italian composer Gioachino Rossini wrote the opera The Barber of Seville, from which this piece is the Overture.

The Barber of Seville tells the story of the barber Figaro in Seville, the largest city in the Andalusia region of southern Spain.

It’s a comedic opera featuring the mischievous Figaro.

Bridal ChorusSurovakia Firuhāmonī Gasshōdan

Wagner: Opera 'Lohengrin': Bridal Chorus [Naxos Classical Curation #Healing]

It is one of the pieces from the opera Lohengrin and is famous as a standard song for weddings and wedding receptions.

It is sung by the nobles to celebrate the marriage of Princess Elsa—who has been falsely accused of murdering her missing brother and seeks to prove her innocence through a duel—and the knight Lohengrin, who comes to her aid.

Although the couple’s fate does not end happily, the piece itself is sweet and brimming with joy.

Carmen (by Bizet)Hanburuku Kita Doitsu Hoso Kokyo Gakudan

Bizet: Carmen Suite

This is a dramatic opera in which Bizet, with outstanding compositional skill, portrays the love story of Carmen—who lives passionately and freely—and Sergeant Don José, who, because he loved her, follows a path to ruin.

The arias offer unmissable highlights such as the Habanera, the Toreador Song, and the Flower Song.

Opera ‘Pagliacci’ (by Ruggero Leoncavallo)Doresuden Kokuritsu Kagikyokujo Kangen Gakudan

Leoncavallo 'Pagliacci' 'Vesti la giubba' Del Monaco

Lively music plays as the curtain rises and a clown steps out to deliver a prologue, heightening the anticipation for the drama to come.

Inspired by a case handled by his judge father, the composer Ruggero Leoncavallo wrote the libretto himself, and the production became a smash hit—a masterpiece that stands as a hallmark of verismo opera.

Sea and Land of ProvenceDietrich Fischer-Dieskau

Verdi La Traviata 'Di Provenza il mar, il suol' Fischer-Dieskau

From Verdi’s La Traviata, Germont’s aria in Act 2.

It’s the scene where he persuades his son to give up a love that crosses lines of family and social status.

Even among Verdi’s works, its elegance is unparalleled, and it’s an indispensable piece in the Verdi baritone repertoire.

Light Cavalry OvertureFranz von Suppé

Franz von Suppé / Overture to “Light Cavalry”

Born in 1819, Franz von Suppé was an Austrian composer.

This is the Overture from his operetta “Light Cavalry.” The trumpet fanfare at the beginning is particularly famous.

In Japan, it has been used in TV commercials and elsewhere.

This overture is also one of the works that is frequently performed on its own.

‘Triumphal March’ from Verdi’s opera AidaGiuseppe Verdi

'Triumphal March' from Verdi's opera Aida

This is the Triumphal March from the opera Aida by Giuseppe Verdi, a leading Italian composer of the 19th century.

The march is performed in Act 2, Scene 2, when the victorious general Radamès returns in triumph.

Many listeners surely feel a thrill at the trumpet fanfares.

In Japan, it is often heard during television broadcasts of soccer matches.