Il melodramma

Melodrama is formed by the words "melody" and "drama Melodrama is formed by the words "melody" and "drama. In a melodrama heroes are always good and their entrance is heralded by trumpets and martial music. Villains are very bad, and their entrance is greeted with dark-sounding. Usually melodramas are based on stereotyped formulas: a villain poses a threat, the hero escapes the threat and there is a happy ending. Melodramas can also be distinguished from tragedy by the fact that they are open to having a happy ending.

Giuseppe Verdi

Giuseppe Verdi was born in 1813 Giuseppe Verdi was born in 1813. He completed his studies by taking private lessons. In the 1836 Verdi married Margherita Barezzi.

The failure and the dead of his wife and his two little daughters, determined a serious crisis in the musician, who decided to leave Milan and to return to Busseto. But a theater redactor, Merelli, induced him to resume the job and to play the “Nabucco”, it was a triumph.

In 1847 Verdi had his first experience abroad In 1847 Verdi had his first experience abroad. Around 1850 Verdi composed the famous Popular Trilogy , so the three works are called: “the Rigoletto”, “the Trovatore”, “the Traviata”.

In 1859 the musician married his new wife Giuseppina Strepponi.

In 1871 in order to celebrate the opening of the Suez Canal Verdi “Aida” wrote, which was staged in Cairo. Then he composed “Otello”, and “Falstaff”, a comic work with which he left the theatre. He on 27 January 1901 died in Milan.

Style Verdi after having met Francesco Piave, a great collaborator, he will be able develop the ideas that characterize his dramatic world. The conflict between the protagonists is inspired by love and popular elements. In his works Verdi wanted point put the conflict between the characters and their passions and love stories.

Il Rigoletto Act 1 Rigoletto’s story begins at the Duke’s palace where the Duke wishes to seduce the Countess of Ceprano. Rigoletto, the Duke's hunchbacked jester, mocks Count Monterone. The count, arrested at the Duke's order, curses the Duke and Rigoletto. Thinking of the curse Rigoletto goes home to his daughter Gilda.

When Rigoletto has gone, the Duke appears. Gilda is in love with him When Rigoletto has gone,  the Duke appears. Gilda is in love with him. Hearing some noises, Gilda sends the Duke away. Outside the noblemen convince Rigoletto to abduct the Countess of Ceprano, but they actually abduct Gilda. Too late, Rigoletto realizes that he has been duped and remembers the curse.

Act 2   Rigoletto goes to the Duke’s  palace and asks to return Gilda to him, but she tells her father that she is in love with the Duke, so Rigoletto swears.

Act 3 Rigoletto makes Gilda realize that the Duke isn’t a good man; indeed he is in Sparafucile’s house, an assassin, and is attempting to seduce his sister, Maddalena. Rigoletto offers  Sparafucile some money for killing the Duke and orders Gilda to go to Verona. She, who still loves the Duke, returns dressed as a man

She overhears Maddalena begging for the Duke's life, and the assassin promises her that he will kill someone else in place of the Duke. Gilda decides to sacrifice herself for the Duke and enters  the house. At midnight Rigoletto receives a corpse wrapped in a sack but when he opens it he discovers his dead daughter and exclaims in horror: "The curse!".

Gioacchino Rossini

Gioacchino Antonio Rossini (February 29, 1792 – November 13, 1868) was a popular Italian composer who created 39 operas, sacred music and chamber music. He was born into a family of musicians in Pesaro. His father, Giuseppe, was a horn player, his mother, Anna, was a singer. Rossini's parents began his musical training early, and by the age of six he was playing the triangle in his father's band. He went to Bologna with his mother and he remained there.

His best known works include “The Barber of Seville”, “La Cenerentola” and “William Tell”. Until his retirement in 1829, Rossini had been the most popular opera composer in history. The Barber of Seville was the first Italian opera ever presented in the United States.

Il barbiere di Siviglia The opera is divided in two acts. The story is set in Seville, in Spain. The count of Almaviva has fallen in love with the beautiful Rosina, pupil of old and jealous don Bartolo; the love between the two is contrasted by don Bartolo himself, who wants to marry Rosina. The barber and the factotum Figaro, decides to help the count to approach the maiden.

The story takes revolves around a series of funny plots, disguises and mistaken identities. Another major character is don Basilio, a friend of don Bartolo and Rosina’s teacher of music. the story has a happy ending: it all will be resolved with a wedding between the count of Almaviva and Rosina.