Composer

:

Henry Rowley Bishop

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1819

Average_duration

:

4:36

"Comedy of Errors" is an opera composed by Henry Rowley Bishop, based on William Shakespeare's play of the same name. The opera was composed in 1819 and premiered on May 10th of the same year at the Covent Garden Theatre in London. The plot of the opera follows the story of two sets of identical twins who were separated at birth. One set of twins, Antipholus of Syracuse and his servant Dromio, arrive in Ephesus, where the other set of twins, Antipholus of Ephesus and his servant Dromio, live. The confusion and mistaken identities that ensue lead to a series of comedic misunderstandings and mishaps. The opera is composed of three acts and features a variety of musical styles, including arias, duets, and ensemble pieces. The music is light and playful, reflecting the comedic nature of the story. One of the characteristics of "Comedy of Errors" is its use of mistaken identity and confusion as a source of humor. The opera also features a number of comedic set pieces, such as the scene in which Antipholus of Syracuse is mistaken for his twin brother and is chased by a group of angry creditors. Despite its initial success, "Comedy of Errors" has not remained a popular opera in the modern era. However, it remains an important example of the use of Shakespeare's plays as source material for operatic adaptations.

More....