Strong women
Sandra Then / Carmen / Staatsoper Hannover
Strong women
Sandra Then / Carmen / Staatsoper Hannover

Strong women

Opera is not known for handling its female characters with kid gloves. Whether they are married against their will, raped, murdered or driven into madness, women were often portrayed as victims of their circumstances, swept along by the winds of fate. In this respect, of course, opera is also a mirror of its time. Rebellious women usually obtain their comeuppance in time for the final act. Just think Carmen or Violetta from La traviata.

Here we pay homage to the strong women in opera.

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Strong Women in Opera: Mařenka

As its title suggests, the opera The Bartered Bride by Czech composer Bedřich Smetana does not herald a particularly pleasant story for our protagonist. And yet Mařenka comes first in our ranking of strong female opera figures.

Turandot
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Strong Women in Opera: Turandot

If the origin of the character is certainly much more misogynist than feminist - the myth of the cold, cruel and castrating woman akin to the ‘witches’ persecuted en masse during the Renaissance -, Turandot is no shrinking violet but a resolutely independent and powerful character.

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Strong Women in Opera: Manon

Manon’s unique path in life could not be more alien to the strict social expectations placed on the women of her time. Already at the age of sixteen, she breaks free from the sheltered life mapped out for her and flees on her way to the convent with the handsome Chevalier Des Grieux. Despite her genuine love for him, she ends up leaving him for a life of wealth and luxury only to rekindle her relationship with him later.

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Strong Women in Opera: Carmen

Since the opera's premiere almost 150 years ago, Carmen has dominated opera stages worldwide. A femme fatale who beguiles every man who meets her, and dare one add, every theatre-goer at that, she has become the poster girl for sexual liberation and the unconditional will to freedom. ‘Free I was born, and free I will die!’ she famously calls out right before she is stabbed to death by her jilted lover.

Return to the Met 1979
Copyright
BethBergman
Extract
Birgit Nilsson 100 Year Anniversary Concert
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Elektra monologue

Birgit Nilsson was indisputably the outstanding dramatic soprano of the second half of the 20th century. Her top notes had an unequalled power and brilliance. Her personality commanded the stage. In this extract recorded live at the Royal Swedish Opera in 1965, Nilsson sings the monologue from Elektra by Richard Strauss. Elektra became one of her signature roles. Long associated with the Royal Swedish Opera, it is this Opera in the Swedish capital that celebrates what would have been her 100th birthday in May 2018.

Carmen
Copyright
Teatro Massimo Palermo
Extract
Carmen
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La Habanera

Love is a rebellious bird... Carmen sings about love and how it cannot be tamed, playing with the hearts of the soldiers on the square.

Turandot 1
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Teatro Regio Torino
Extract
Turandot
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In questa reggia

Act II. Turandot (Rebeka Lokar) recounts that, in this same palace some years ago, a princess was conquered by the king of Tartars, raped and murdered. She decides to avenge this death. Whoever wishes to marry her must solve an enigma. In case of failure, the suitor must die. Conducted by Gianandrea Noseda and directed by Stefano Poda.