A Unique Genre: Le grand opéra

This programme is held in Hungarian.

The fulfilled French grand opera - Le grande opéra - is characterized by a historical plot presented with dramatic pathos, virtuosic singing, and above all, spectacular scenes involving large groups of people, not to mention extensive ballet interludes.

The impact is particularly important, so the composers put the orchestration at the service of the stage happenings. The first grand opera is considered to be Daniel Auber: La Muette de Portici. Its heyday is associated with Meyerbeer's name and it also influenced composers of other nations.

The influence is clearly detectable in the early works of Rossini, Verdi, and Wagner as well.

French authors are the greatest masters: Halevy, Gounod, and Massenet, to mention just the most famous names. Unfortunately, the genre was pushed out from the stages of opera houses in the early 20th century with the spread of verismo. So on this Wednesday afternoon, we once again explore the world of opera, after the successful Puccini series from the summer, now sticking with a French theme. The presenter is Dóra Tápai, a conductor, high school music teacher, and music educator at the House of Music, who is also preparing beautiful music and great stories for today’s occasion! Of course, we cannot miss the joint musical activities and the quiz game either!