The Best Opera Music of the 20th Century

From Verdi to Puccini, the best opera music of the 20th century is truly timeless. Join us as we explore the greatest hits from the genre.

The best opera music of the 20th century

Opera is a form of musical theatre that combines songs, spoken dialogue, and acting, and is usually considered to be one of the higher forms of art. Opera music has been around for centuries, and the 20th century was no exception. In this article, we will be discussing the best opera music of the 20th century.

The best opera music of the 20th century – Verdi

The best opera music of the 20th century – Verdi is a list of 25 operas by Giuseppe Verdi, including his operas completed after his death in 1901. They are listed in chronological order by their date of premiere.

The list only includes those works which have been generally accepted as composed by Verdi. For other operas attributed to him, see List of disputed or doubtful Verdi operas.

1) Oberto, conte di San Bonifacio – 1839
2) Un giorno di regno – 1840
3) Nabucco – 1842
4) I Lombardi alla prima crociata – 1843
5) Ernani – 1844
6) I masnadieri – 1847
7) Giovanna d’Arco – 1845
8) Alcina – 1846
9) Attila – 1846
10) Macbeth – 1865
11) I due Foscari – 1844
12) Joaquín Murieta – 1860s (disputed)
13) La battaglia di Legnano – 1849
14) Luisa Miller – 1850
15) Stiffelio – 1850
16) Rigoletto – 1951

17 Il trovatore – 1853
18 La traviata – 1853
19 Simon Boccanegra – 1857
20 Un ballo in maschera – 1959

21 Don Carlos – 1886
22 Aida – 1886

23 Otello – 1987

24 Falstaff – 1893

25 La battaglia di Legnano (revival; original premiere in 1949)- 2011

The best opera music of the 20th century – Puccini

One of the most prolific and popular opera composers of the 20th century was Giacomo Puccini. His operas are known for their beautiful melodies, passionate characters, and heart-wrenching stories. Some of his most famous operas include La Bohème, Madama Butterfly, and Turandot. If you’re looking for the best opera music of the 20th century, Puccini is a great place to start.

The best opera music of the 20th century – Wagner

Wagnerian opera, or more specifically music dramas written by German composer Richard Wagner, were some of the most important and influential works of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Operas such as Der Ring des Nibelungen and Parsifal helped to redefine what was possible in the genre, both musically and dramatically. Other composers, such as Giuseppe Verdi and Giacomo Puccini, were greatly influenced by Wagner’s style and helped to bring his music to a wider audience.

While Wagner’s operas are not always easy to listen to, they are unquestionably some of the most important pieces of music written in the last 200 years. If you’re looking for a starting point, we recommend checking out The Flying Dutchman, Tannhäuser, or Lohengrin.

The best opera music of the 20th century – other composers

20th-century opera was some of the most varied and expressive music ever written. While Wagner and Verdi are rightfully considered the giants of the genre, they weren’t the only composers pushing the boundaries of what opera could be. Here are some other great opera composers of the 20th century.

The best opera music of the 20th century – Richard Strauss

Richard Strauss (1864-1949) was a leading composer of the late Romantic and early modern eras. His operas include some of the most challenging and controversial works of the 20th century. Strauss’s challenge to opera audiences and performers was to create works that were at once musically and dramatically accessible, yet intellectually demanding. Many of his works offer a blend of traditional opera elements with innovative new techniques that had never been seen before in the genre.

While some operas, like “Salome” and “Elektra”, were met with initial controversy and even critical derision, they have since come to be considered masterpieces of the genre. Other operas, like “Der Rosenkavalier” and “Capriccio”, are more light-hearted in nature and remain some of the most popular works in the Strauss repertoire.

No matter what your opinion is of Strauss’s music, there is no denying that he was one of the most important and influential composers of the 20th century. If you’re looking for a taste of his operatic genius, check out our list of the best Richard Strauss operas below.

The best opera music of the 20th century – Benjamin Britten

British composer Benjamin Britten is considered one of the most important composers of the 20th century. His operas are known for their beautiful melodies, innovative use of harmony, and moving subjects.

Britten’s best-known opera is “Peter Grimes,” which tells the story of a fisherman who is driven to madness by the village in which he lives. The opera was a huge success when it debuted in 1945, and it has remained one of the most popular operas ever since.

Other notable works by Britten include “The Turn of the Screw,” “Billy Budd,” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”