Expert: Cindy Sadler - 1/10/2006

Question
Hello Cindy:
Can you give some examples of aria de bravura? I want to compile some of them in one cd for my own enjoyment.
Thank you very much,
Victor

Answer
Hi Victor,

In the traditional sense, aria di bravura  refers to a fast-tempo piece which shows off the singer's agility and skill; the term originated in Handel's time. Arias such as
"Rejoice Greatly" and "Why Do the Nations Rage" from Messiah are typical examples of arie di bravura.

I have a feeling, however, that you are thinking of a more contemporary definition, of dramatic  or virtuoso arias that are technically demanding. I would place the following in that category:

Come scoglio from Cosi fan tutte
Pace, pace mio Dio from La forza del destino
In questa reggia from Turandot
The Mad Scene from Lucia di Lammermoor

O don fatale from Don Carlo
Amour, viens aider ma faiblesse from Samson et Dalila
Baba the Turk's aria from The Rake's Progress
Letter Aria from Werther

Esultate  from Otello
Celeste Aida from Aida
Forging Scene from Siegfried
Di quella pira from Il trovatore

Eri tu from Un ballo in maschera
Credo from Otello
Largo al factotum from Il barbiere di Siviglia
The Drinking Song from Don Giovanni

Hope this helps!

Cindy