Composer

:

Vincenzo Bellini

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1829

Average_duration

:

156:19

Zaira is an opera composed by Vincenzo Bellini in 1829. The plot of the opera revolves around the story of a young woman named Zaira, who is a slave in the Sultan's harem. She falls in love with a Christian man named Corrado, who is also a slave. However, their love is forbidden, and they face many obstacles in their quest to be together. The opera is set in the Ottoman Empire, and the story is based on a play by Voltaire. The music of the opera is characterized by Bellini's signature bel canto style, which emphasizes beautiful melodies and vocal virtuosity. The opera features a number of memorable arias, duets, and ensembles, including Zaira's aria "Tutto è silenzio," Corrado's aria "Ah! Non sai qual pena," and the duet "Ah! Perché non posso odiarti." Zaira was composed in 1829, and it premiered at the Teatro Ducale in Parma on May 16 of that year. The opera was not a success, and it was only performed a few times before being forgotten. However, in recent years, there has been renewed interest in the opera, and it has been performed in a number of productions around the world. The movements of the opera are divided into two acts. The first act introduces the characters and sets up the conflict between Zaira and Corrado's love and the Sultan's disapproval. The second act features a number of dramatic confrontations and a tragic ending. Overall, Zaira is a beautiful and moving opera that showcases Bellini's talent for melody and vocal writing. While it may not be as well-known as some of his other works, it is a testament to his skill as a composer and his ability to create compelling characters and stories through music.

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