OPERA IN THE COURTYARD
We are delighted to present this Rogue Opera cabaret gala, performing some of opera’s most beautiful music for a stunning Evening at the Opera at The Retreat, Elcot Park
Emily Wishart
Bronwen Harding
Blanca Graciá Rodríquez
David Powton
Nick Dwyer
A Night at the Opera
A two-part program presented by our talented quartet of singers and amazing pianist
If you'd like to know more about the pieces, please click on the cards below for translations and information about the music.
First Half
Mein Herr Marquis
Mein Herr Marquis
My Lord Marquis
At a ball, Adele meets her mistress’s husband (supposedly a French marquis). She claims to be a Russian actress, coquettishly insisting a woman with her charms could never be a maid.
Seguidilla
Seguidilla
By the ramparts of Seville
Carmen tempts José by dancing for him and singing of the delights to be found in her friend’s tavern on Seville’s ramparts.
Votre Toast
Votre Toast
To your health!
Escamillo, revelling in his celebrity and the thrill of the bullfight, toasts the soldiers in the tavern as fellow fighters…
La Fleur
La fleur
The flower
While he was in prison, José cherished the flower Carmen threw to him at their first encounter. He cannot free himself from his love for her.
O soave fanciulla
O soave fanciulla
O sweet maiden
Rodolfo and Mimi’s romantic duet closing Act 1 as they declare their love for each other.
La ci darem
La ci darem la mano
There I’ll give you my hand
Don Giovanni charms Zerlina with his seductive promises of a shared future.
Soave sia il vento
Soave sia il vento
Gentle be the breeze
Two sisters, Fiordiligi and Dorabella, are led to believe by Don Alfonso that their fiancés have been called up to fight. The trio pray that the wind will be gentle on their journey to battle.
Second Half
Deh! Tu un Umile Preghiera
Deh! Tu un umile preghiera
I beseech thee, hear my humble prayer
Sentenced to death by Queen Elizabeth, Mary Queen of Scots finds solace in a final prayer.
Sul fil d’un soffio etesio
https://rogueopera.co.uk/sul-fil-dun-soffio/
On the breath of a summer breeze
Falstaff has offended two Windsor wives, who seek revenge at a midnight rendezvous, with various characters in disguise, including the “Fairy Queen” summoning the spirits.
Dein ist mein ganzes Herz
Dein ist mein ganzes Herz
My whole heart is yours
Chinese prince, Sou-Chong, declares his love for his Austrian wife, Lisa.
Flower Duet
Sous le dôme épais
Under the wide canopy
This instantly recognisable duet, sung by Lakmé and her maidservant Mallika, evokes the beauty and serenity of nature.
Madamina
Madamina
Catalogue Aria
Leporello reveals to Donna Elvira the catalogue of Don Giovanni’s numerous conquests.
Lascia ch’io pianga
Lascia ch’io pianga
Let me lament
Almirena, abducted a by sorceress, laments her fate. Separated from her lover, Rinaldo, she prays for mercy and release from her torment.
Au fond du temple saint
Au fond du temple saint…
In the depths of the holy temple…
Envisioning their perfect women, two old friends weave a spellbinding ode to beauty and brotherhood.
Una voce poco fa
Una voce poco fa
The voice I just heard…
Rosina has found true love in the sound of Lindoro’s voice, and she is determined to make him hers.
Zitti, Zitti
Zitti, zitti
Softly, softly
Rosina, Count Almaviva and Figaro are in a flurry to escape detection as they plot to outwit Rosina’s guardian…
