Top 10 Opera Villains
Hello Hello!
I may or may not have mentioned in a past blog post that everyone loves a good villain. Whether it's a villain that makes you sympathize with them, to the local buffoon or the type of villain that is bat shit crazy that you never know when they're going to snap! I've created a list, in no specific order, on the top 10 opera villains! Again, it's only my opinion and in no specific order!
I may or may not have mentioned in a past blog post that everyone loves a good villain. Whether it's a villain that makes you sympathize with them, to the local buffoon or the type of villain that is bat shit crazy that you never know when they're going to snap! I've created a list, in no specific order, on the top 10 opera villains! Again, it's only my opinion and in no specific order!
- Queen of the Night - Mozart's The Magic Flute, Queen of the Night is one of those psycho's that can be lovable when sung right! Diana Damrau is by far my favourite Queen, seeing that she not only acted the part but was able to do more than stand around while shouting high F's!
- Turandot - Puccini's Turandot, Turandot is one of those mixed type of villains. She is half psycho and half of the kind of villain that you want to sympathize with. She would have just been flat out crazy if it wasn't for her change of character at the end of the opera!
- Mephistopheles - Faust by Gounod, Based on the German folklore who symbolizes the devil (much like the Erlkonig), Mephistopheles is a very dark and cunning character. He isn't psycho like the Queen of the Night, but has more of a Hades flare. Very manipulative and persuasive.
- Hagen - Wagner's Ring Cycle, Hagen is blood thirsty. Nothing is stopping him from manipulating and killing his way towards the ring. He's got a classic case of "Dramatic Theatre Daddy Issues"...typical Norse Mythology.
- Iago - Verdi's Othello, Not only is a bird from Aladdin named after him, but Iago is considered to be one of the most sinister villains ever. He totally ruins Othello's life just because he doesn't like him. Obviously he doesn't know how to be civil.
- Count Almaviva - Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, Count Almaviva is the ultimate buffoon. The joke is always on him. You'd think he'd know better after dealing with Cherubino for that long...
- Alberich - Wagner's Ring Cycle, Alberich is the chief of the dwarves. He's expressed through "distorted" music and "muttering" speech. He is basically the antagonist because he screws up big time.
- Don Giovanni - Don Giovanni by Mozart, he is a young, arrogant, and sexually promiscuous nobleman, abuses and outrages everyone else in the cast, until he gets what he deserves. Slightly similar to Count Almaviva.
- Rigoletto - Rigoletto by Verdi, Just a man trying to protect his daughter...verging on the psycho side of things just like the Queen of the Night. But they say Parents do their best to protect their young.....
- Nerone and Poppea - Coronation of Poppea by Monteverdi, this Bonnie and Clyde duo are just crazy killers who blame it on their love.
Erlking by Schubert - special mentions. This tune is literally amazing and should just be an opera in itself. Kudos to you Schubert and for your amazing interpretation of this German/Danish folktale.
I hope you enjoyed this list! If you have any comments to add or discussions about the characters sited (or un-sited) just write it down in the comments below!
Until next time,
I hope you enjoyed this list! If you have any comments to add or discussions about the characters sited (or un-sited) just write it down in the comments below!
Until next time,
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