Which is Puccini’s best-known opera?
La bohème
Conducted for the first time in 1896, La bohème is one of the most popular operas.
The story is about four struggling bohemians who are living together in Paris when their lives are changed forever during Christmas Eve.
Who wrote the popular opera “La traviata”?
Giuseppe Verdi
La traviata is about the tragic love between the courtesan Violetta and the romantic Alfredo Germont.
It was written by Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi in 1853.
Which classic musical tells the story of a young soprano who becomes the obsession of a disfigured and masked, murderous musical genius?
The Phantom of the Opera
The 1986 musical is based on the 1910 original French novel by Gaston Leroux, and was composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Which famous opera by Sergei Prokofiev is based on the same-titled novel written by Leo Tolstoy?
War and Peace
Because the opera was written during the second World War (1944), Prokofiev had to add heroic choruses and marches to satisfy the Soviet regime.
Unfortunately, Prokofiev never lived to hear a complete performance of his opera.
Who wrote the popular opera “Die Zauberflöte”?
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
A dialogue-heavy performance, the 1791 opera written by Mozart features a Queen of the Night, a birdcatcher, philosophy and Freemasonry.
Die Zauberflöte can be directly translated to The Magic Flute.
What’s the name of the Italian opera by George Handel, which was based on Julius Caesar’s visit to Egypt between 48 and 47 BC?
Giulio Cesare
The opera was performed in London, UK for the first time in 1724. It is an epic of love and war and considered Handel’s finest work.
Which Broadway musical from 1957 about warring teenage gangs in NY is an interpretation of Romeo & Juliet?
West Side Story
The innovative musical changed the way musicals were staged - breaking apart rules of storytelling and choreography.
Which controversial 1970 musical tells the story about the tension between Jesus and Judas through rock music and youth culture?
Jesus Christ Superstar
The musical focuses on Jesus’ last week of life in a very Seventies style of art. Due to its modern approach, it was able to reach a broad audience all over the world.
Which famous musical retells the story of The June Rebellion?
(Paris Uprising)
Les Misérables
(Les Miz)
The musical follows the life of Jean Valjean, an ex-convict who seeks redemption while hunted by his mortal enemy and ex-guard Javert after breaking parole.
It’s a common misconception that Les Misérables is about the French Revolution, however it’s actually set 43 years after.
Which musical is based on the famous opera “La bohème”, retold in the style of the 80s and 90s, reflecting the health and money crises during those times?
Rent
The musical touched upon many issues happening in society during that time, such as HIV/AIDS and the struggles of young people being able to pay rent in New York.
Which famous Shakespeare play is about the ghost of the King of Denmark telling his son to avenge his murder by killing the new king.
Hamlet
Hamlet is one of Shakespeare’s longest plays and is so popular, it has even been translated into the Klingon language found in Star Trek.
This play contains famous lines still used by writers today such as “To be or not be – that is the question”.
Which Shakespearean tragedy tells the story of two lovers, whose deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding families?
Romeo and Juliet
This play was among Shakepeare’s most popular and most frequently performed plays.
Published in 1597, the play has become so famous that even those who never watch theater know about Romeo and Juliet.
Which Shakespearean tragedy is this?
Three witches tell the Scottish general that he will be King of Scotland. The general kills the king and becomes the king himself, then kills more people out of paranoia.
Macbeth
The play was loosely based on a real king called Mac Bethad, a King of Scotland in the 11th century.
Unfortunately, Shakespeare never saw the play himself as it was published 7 years after his death.
Which Shakespearean tragedy is this?
A Venetian businessman defaults on a large loan provided by a Jewish moneylender.
The Merchant of Venice
Written in 1596, William Shakespeare discussed the heavy subject of debt in this play. The narrative is troubling and complex, with overtones of stereotypical behavior.
Which Shakespearean comedy is this?
Prospero, the Duke of Milan takes revenge on his enemies through the use of magic.
The Tempest
Recognized for his tragedies, Shakespeare occasionally worked with comedy.
While it does deal with some tragic material and a hint of modern criticism, The Tempest was his first official comedy to be performed in theatre.
Which Shakespearean romantic comedy is this?
Separated from her twin brother in a shipwreck, Viola disguises herself as a boy and becomes a servant to the Duke Orsino.
Twelfth Night
The play’s alternate title, “What You Will”, translates well into the modern idiom as “Whatever” - a more accurate title according to many fans of the play.
Which Shakespearean tragedy is this?
The play follows the life of the ‘Moor of Venice’, and is a powerful and polarizing story about racism and jealousy.
Othello
The name Othello means wealth. Shakespeare used this tragedy for social commentary on Elizabethan England, including the roles of women and marriage.
Interestingly enough, the original Shakespeare source material had no character names except Desdemona.
Which Shakespearean tragedy is this?
A king relinquishes his power and land to two of his daughters. He then becomes destitute and insane.
King Lear
The theme of King Lear is mostly about humanity and man in general. We learn to ponder the question “What is left of a person when everything is taken away from them?”. The tragedy gives insight into what elements of life define us, may it be status, power, or even wealth.
Which Shakespearean comedy is this?
A couple named Beatrice and Benedick are each duped into believing the other is in love with them.
Much Ado About Nothing
The play is set in the Sicilian countryside and is full of gags and one-liners. To write the story, Shakespeare borrowed plots from classic literature and recreated them for his audience.
Which Shakespearean comedy is this?
The fairie queen Titania is magically changed to fall in love with whatever person or creature she happens to see when she awakens.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
This magical comedy is often performed during the summer months and is seen by its fans as the ultimate crowd-pleaser.
The play is considered one of Shakespeare’s most influential works.
