"Minguillo" from Coleridge-Taylor's "Southern Love Songs" is a captivating piece that transports listeners to the enchanting landscapes of the Southern United States. With its intricate melodies and soulful harmonies, the song embodies the essence of Southern romance and nostalgia. The music resonates with the rich cultural heritage of the region, evoking images of rolling hills, winding rivers, and swaying magnolia trees. Through its poignant lyrics and emotive instrumentation, "Minguillo" paints a vivid portrait of love, longing, and the timeless beauty of the American South.

Juneteenth Celebration Concert

Minguillo

"A Conceit" by Boykin is a poignant exploration of the complexities of human connection and identity. Through rich imagery and lyrical language, Boykin delves into the nuances of relationships, highlighting the delicate balance between intimacy and distance. The poem invites readers to reflect on the intricacies of self-awareness and the ways in which we perceive ourselves in relation to others.

A Conceit

"Quando m'en vo'," also known as Musetta's Waltz, is a captivating aria from Giacomo Puccini's opera La bohème. Sung here by CROpera Board Member and Metropolitan Opera Soprano Abigail Rethwisch, this piece is performed in the second act of the opera. Musetta, a vivacious and flirtatious character, sings "Quando m'en vo'" in a crowded Parisian café to regain the attention of her ex-lover, Marcello. The aria showcases Musetta's confidence and charm as she describes how people admire her beauty as she walks through the streets of Paris. The melody is both enchanting and playful, reflecting Musetta's manipulative yet irresistible personality.

Quando m'en vo

"Votre toast" is the famous Toreador Song from Georges Bizet's opera Carmen. Sung here by baritone Norman Garret as the bullfighter Escamillo in Act 2 this aria serves as a bold declaration of his prowess and charm as a torero. Set amidst the bustling atmosphere of a Spanish tavern, Escamillo's spirited performance captivates the audience, showcasing his confidence and bravado while also hinting at the brewing romantic tension between him and the fiery Carmen. It's a moment of both spectacle and intrigue, adding depth to the operatic narrative as the characters' passions intertwine amidst the vibrant backdrop of Seville.

Votre toast

"Senza Mamma" is an aria from Giacomo Puccini's one-act opera "Suor Angelica," which is the second opera in the trio of one-act operas known as "Il Trittico." The aria is sung by the title character, Suor Angelica, a young nun who has been forced into the convent by her family due to a scandalous love affair. The aria is an intensely emotional moment in the opera. Angelica reflects on her sorrowful past, particularly her longing for her deceased child and the rest of her family. She laments the fact that she cannot see her child again or receive comfort from her mother, as she is now isolated within the convent. The melody is hauntingly beautiful, and the lyrics express Angelica's profound sadness and longing for familial love. It's a deeply moving moment that highlights the themes of loss, redemption, and the power of maternal love.

Senza mamma

"Ah chi mi dice mai" is a poignant aria from Mozart's opera "Don Giovanni." In this aria, Donna Elvira expresses her sorrow and confusion over Don Giovanni's betrayal and her ongoing struggle to reconcile her feelings for him. Through its emotive melody and expressive lyrics, the aria captures the inner turmoil of love and betrayal.

Ah Chi Mi Dice Mai

The aria "Das war sehr gut, Mandryka" from Richard Strauss's opera Arabella is sung by the title character in the final act as a moment of reconciliation and understanding with her suitor, Mandryka. Throughout the opera, set in 1860s Vienna, the financially struggling Waldner family hopes that Arabella will marry wealthily. However, Arabella desires a marriage based on love and finds her ideal match in Mandryka, who similarly falls in love with her. The aria occurs after a series of misunderstandings at a ball, where Mandryka wrongly suspects Arabella of infidelity. In this piece, Arabella responds to Mandryka's heartfelt apology and his recognition of his mistakes, expressing her appreciation for his honesty and humility. This scene underscores their emotional growth and solidifies their mutual commitment, central to the resolution of the opera’s romantic and familial dilemmas.

Das war sehr gut

In the opera "The Ghosts of Versailles" by John Corigliano, the "Aria of the Worm" is sung by the character Beaumarchais. This aria occurs in a fantastical opera-within-the-opera that Beaumarchais stages to entertain the ghost of Marie Antoinette and alter history to save her. The aria itself is dark and foreboding, reflecting themes of death and decay, and is pivotal in underscoring the opera's blend of historical reflection and surrealistic elements.

Aria Of The Worm

"Sein wir wieder gut" is an aria from Richard Strauss's opera Ariadne auf Naxos. In this scene, the character Zerbinetta, a spirited comedienne, is attempting to console the heartbroken Ariadne, who has been abandoned by Theseus on the island of Naxos. Zerbinetta tries to persuade Ariadne to move past her grief by embracing life's joys and opportunities for new love. This aria captures Zerbinetta's playful yet insightful nature as she philosophically argues that the pain of lost love can be healed through openness to new romantic possibilities.

Sein wir wieder gut

"After You Hear Me Out" is an aria from Tom Cipullo's opera Glory Denied, which is based on the true story of Colonel Jim Thompson, the longest-held American prisoner of war in Vietnam. The opera explores the profound personal and emotional consequences of his nine-year captivity and subsequent return home. This particular aria captures a moment of intense vulnerability and emotional conflict. Thompson, upon returning home, finds that everything has changed, including his relationship with his wife, Alyce. In "After You Hear Me Out," Alyce attempts to explain the complex feelings and decisions she made during his absence, seeking understanding and reconciliation. The aria reflects her struggle to convey her experiences and justify her actions, revealing the deep scars left by the war on their marriage and individual identities.

Aria Of The Worm

CROpera

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