Classic Opera, The Top 5

Opera is a musical theater art form that developed in Italy in the 16th century. The protagonists are opera singers, but they are flanked by representatives of other arts, from dancers and musicians to actors. The opera is the result of a very well-coordinated collaboration, a work (opera = work in Italian) that requires effort from all contributors to be perfect.

The question of which opera is the best is often asked, a question that is very difficult to answer. Yet, below we will present the 5 most popular operas of all time.

Bizet's unconventional Carmen

This opera was first performed in 1875 causing a sensation as the protagonist is Carmen, a strong and independent woman who did everything to get what she wanted. Bizet did not manage to experience the great success of his opera as he died after 33 performances.

Giuseppe Verdi's masterpiece Rigoletto

An opera based on Victor Hugo's The King Amuses, which premiered in Venice in 1851 and has been Verdi's greatest work. Its theme is the tragic relationship between the Duke of Mantua, his jester Rigoletto and his daughter Gilda.

Giacomo Puccini's Tosca

This opera is based on the novel of the same name by French playwright Victorien Sardou. The protagonist Tosca, a woman who must choose between two men with the risk of losing both of them and true love, has been performed perfectly by Maria Callas.

Aida by Giuseppe Verdi

Another opera by the great Verdi, Aida deals with the love story of two young people that blossom during the Egyptians and the Ethiopians war. The plot is full of jealousies, conspiracies, betrayals and finally death.

Giacomo Puccini's sensational Madam Butterfly

Puccini's sensational opera took two chances to gain traction. The first performance in 1904 did not have the expected response, but after changes made by Puccini, the play gained impressions. The plot is about a Japanese geisha, "Butterfly", who married an American officer, who after leaving her three years later returns to take their child and she commits suicide (harakiri).