AboutPamela Thomas Expertise Questions on Opera performance, repertoire, vocal technique, acting for opera. I have some 20 years experience in opera in both leading roles and chorus. I have sung with New York City Opera since 1981. I have studied voice in NYC for over 20 years and have also taught technique and coached singers in acting.
Expert: Pamela Thomas Date: 7/15/2008 Subject: Melancholy Opera
Question Im after a elusive kind of opera that is melancholy but without having to do with romance or modern warfare, ex. polish internment camp. Any suggestions you might have would be greatly appeciated.
Answer Hi Josh,
Well - you have Wozzek (Berg) - but it's a very difficult opera. It's hard to think of an opera that doesn't deal with romance or warfare...
There are some Russian operas: maybe Glinka's two operas, A Life for the Tsar, (1836)Then maybe Rusalka (it is kind of a love story but it's wonderful). There's always Prince Igor by Alexander Borodin, Eugene Onegin and The Queen of Spades by Pyotr Tchaikovsky.
You might also look at Giordano's "Siberia".. it is kind of a love story - but the last act takes place in Siberia....
There is also Bluebeard's Castle (by Bartok)...
Also - what about Britten's "Billy Budd" - that takes place on a ship - and it's excellent.
Beethoven's Fidelio - great opera!
Well - those are what comes to mind immediately. Maybe you will like one of them.
