Nadir and Zurga have just been reunited. Their history involves time apart and…Nadir and Zurga have just been reunited. Their history involves time apart and a previous rivalry over the love of a woman. They refer to the woman, who was a Brahmin Priestess, but with fond feelings of mutual fraternity, they now swear eternal friendship
After Cherubino arrives in his new military uniform, he sings a plea to the…After Cherubino arrives in his new military uniform, he sings a plea to the Countess to see how much love he has to give; it is a song of his own composition, and Susanna accompanies him on the guitar
Rumors of an impending war with Ethiopia have been circulating. Radamès has…Rumors of an impending war with Ethiopia have been circulating. Radamès has just been told by Ramfis that Isis has named a new, young man to command the Egyptian Army. Radamès wishes it were he so he could free Aida
The unknown prince Calaf, having won the hand of Princess Turandot of Peking by…The unknown prince Calaf, having won the hand of Princess Turandot of Peking by answering her three riddles, has to remain unknown until dawn to avoid execution. A royal decree is issued stating that all must stay awake to find out his name
Guglielmo complains of his hunger but, in this aria, Ferrando tells him he…Guglielmo complains of his hunger but, in this aria, Ferrando tells him he should hold his appetite, for even the possibility of love from their beloveds will sate one's hunger at once
After the Duke, in the guise of a poor student, has seduced her, Gilda sings of…After the Duke, in the guise of a poor student, has seduced her, Gilda sings of her new-found love, fixating on his name (which is false)
Nadir and Zurga have just been reunited. Their history involves time apart and…Nadir and Zurga have just been reunited. Their history involves time apart and a previous rivalry over the love of a woman. They refer to the woman, who was a Brahmin Priestess, but with fond feelings of mutual fraternity, they now swear eternal friendship
The Birdcatcher Papageno introduces himself to Prince Tamino and also mentions…The Birdcatcher Papageno introduces himself to Prince Tamino and also mentions that he probably could catch women like he can birds
The opening of Act II is ushered in by these two characters arriving at a…The opening of Act II is ushered in by these two characters arriving at a Venetian soiree by gondola, singing of the beauteous night of love
Pinkerton, an American Navy Lieutenant stationed in Nagasaki, tells Sharpless,…Pinkerton, an American Navy Lieutenant stationed in Nagasaki, tells Sharpless, the American Consul, about his bride to be, Cio-cio San
As Don Giovanni arrives at his palace with the peasants awaiting the wedding…As Don Giovanni arrives at his palace with the peasants awaiting the wedding party of Masetto and Zerlina inside, he declares that there shall be an incredible party with much wine and many women, invites everybody and makes his own intentions clear
The night before, Lensky had challenged Onegin to a duel in response to Onegin…The night before, Lensky had challenged Onegin to a duel in response to Onegin's advances on Lensky's fiancee, Olga. Now, on the morning of the duel, Lensky looks back on his happy youth as he waits for Onegin to arrive. He realizes that he will probably die in the duel and that he does not particularly care if he does. The only great loss though his death would be that he would never see Olga again
The opening of Act II is ushered in by these two characters arriving at a…The opening of Act II is ushered in by these two characters arriving at a Venetian soiree by gondola, singing of the beauteous night of love
Dido discovers that Aeneas has abandoned her to fulfill his destiny to found…Dido discovers that Aeneas has abandoned her to fulfill his destiny to found Rome. Dying of grief, Dido asks for Belinda to remember her when she is dead
The night before, Lensky had challenged Onegin to a duel in response to Onegin…The night before, Lensky had challenged Onegin to a duel in response to Onegin's advances on Lensky's fiancee, Olga. Now, on the morning of the duel, Lensky looks back on his happy youth as he waits for Onegin to arrive. He realizes that he will probably die in the duel and that he does not particularly care if he does. The only great loss though his death would be that he would never see Olga again
In the intoxicating atmosphere of the ballroom, Alfredo and Violetta expound…In the intoxicating atmosphere of the ballroom, Alfredo and Violetta expound their alternative outlooks on life and love
Pinkerton, an American Navy Lieutenant stationed in Nagasaki, tells Sharpless,…Pinkerton, an American Navy Lieutenant stationed in Nagasaki, tells Sharpless, the American Consul, about his bride to be, Cio-cio San
After being dismissed from his position as the Count's page for havign been…After being dismissed from his position as the Count's page for havign been discovered alone with the gardener's daughter, Cherubino tells Susanna that, suddenly, every woman excites him to no end, and he graphically describes his roiling emotions
Marguerite has found a casket of jewels at her door. She has never had jewels…Marguerite has found a casket of jewels at her door. She has never had jewels of any sort; she tries them on and looks at herself in the mirror. She imagines that others do not recognize her and believe that she is actually a princess. She also thinks of Faust and sings that if he could see her now, he would find her truly beautiful
Giorgio, Alfredo's father, has convinced him that it is for the best if he…Giorgio, Alfredo's father, has convinced him that it is for the best if he leaves Violetta. Alfredo wavers upon hearing that there is a farewell letter from Violetta whereupon Giorgio sings to him how nice their home in Provence is, and that he should go back there with him
An elaborate plot to expose her husband's infidelity is being laid by the…An elaborate plot to expose her husband's infidelity is being laid by the Countess; it involves pretending that she is her chambermaid, Susanna, on whom the Count has designs. She muses on the fact that she has to use her chambermaid to stop her husband's flirtations and ponders how they got to this point, her future and yearns for the return of her husband's affection.
Valentin has been called off to war. He is not worried about what will happen…Valentin has been called off to war. He is not worried about what will happen to him because of the sacred medallion that he has been given. He is, however, worried because there will no one to protect his sister Marguerite while he is gone. He asks God to take care of her while he fights. He declares that he shall fight valiantly for his country, and he prays to be allowed to watch over his sister from Heaven, should he die
After Donna Elvira confronts Don Giovanni, who had betrayed her, Leporello…After Donna Elvira confronts Don Giovanni, who had betrayed her, Leporello tells her that she should forget him and then produces a book of the Don's feminine conquests : 640 in Italy, 231 in Germany, 100 in France, 91 in Turkey, and 1003 in Spain
To the accompaniment of piano onstage, Magda sings about a woman called Doretta…To the accompaniment of piano onstage, Magda sings about a woman called Doretta and what she dreamed of.
After the Count orders Cherubino to leave and join the Seville regiment for…After the Count orders Cherubino to leave and join the Seville regiment for being infatuated with the Countess, Figaro tells Cherubino with a rousing march that he must give up his easy life and his women and become a soldier
Now that he's finally sure that Don Giovanni was the person who killed Donna…Now that he's finally sure that Don Giovanni was the person who killed Donna Anna's (his fiancee) father, Don Ottavio swears that he will make sure she gets her revenge on Don Giovanni and at the same time promises to tenderly comfort her
To the delight of the crowds, the swaggering Toreador arrives and boasts of his…To the delight of the crowds, the swaggering Toreador arrives and boasts of his prowess in the bull ring….and elsewhere.
Figaro is the Barber of Seville, where he does many things other than…Figaro is the Barber of Seville, where he does many things other than hairdressing. A general fixer for the town, he's mightily pleased with himself about it!
Shortly before going on stage for a comic performance, the Jester Canio has…Shortly before going on stage for a comic performance, the Jester Canio has just discovered that his wife has been unfaithful. The expression of his sorrow is made more poignant by his clown's garb
Now married to Prince Ramiro, Cenerentola gathers the bridal guests around her…Now married to Prince Ramiro, Cenerentola gathers the bridal guests around her to grant forgiveness to all who have wronged her, including her father and stepsisters. She then goes on to sing that her life has been transformed by love as quickly as lightning. She continues, singing that she wants to embrace her former nemeses. No longer by the cinders will she sing her sad song