Did Cupid’s arrow touch your heart this Valentine’s Day? It has certainly made an appearance in musical works over the centuries. After all, the themes of love, passion, and desire are eternally inspiring. Here are several works where we can find the spirit of Cupid’s arrow.
“The Marriage of Figaro” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is a classic story showcasing the foibles of love and romance. Based on a 1784 play by Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, this opera fairly bursts with intrigue, mistaken identities, betrayal, and forgiveness. It’s comedic … but love is funny, right?
Georges Bizet’s “Carmen,” which features a seductive and free-spirited woman who captivates men with her charm. was originally condemned by critics for its so-called immoral and vulgar portrayal of common folk. Poor Bizet, just 36 when the opera premiered in 1875, was said to be devastated by its reception and died from a heart condition a few months later. If only he had lived a bit longer, he could have seen Tchaikovsky’s prediction come to pass: “[ten] years hence Carmen will be the most popular opera in the world.”
If you find tales of tragic love to be moving, we have the famous story of “Romeo and Juliet,” set to music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Completed in 1880, this overture tells the familiar story of two young lovers whose families are as prone to disagreement as the Hatfields and McCoys.
Shakespeare’s work also inspired a “love-ly” work by Felix Mendelssohn. This orchestral composition captures the whimsical and magical atmosphere of Shakespeare’s play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Love potions and fairy mischief abound, causing confusion and unexpected pairings reminiscent of Cupid’s playful arrows.
Among the most frequently performed operas is “Madame Butterfly” by Giacomo Puccini. It tells the heart-wrenching story of a Japanese woman who falls in love with an American naval officer. Now considered a masterpiece, it was poorly received on opening night and underwent several revisions before reaching the version we know now.
Tragic or joyful, love is always in the air … and you have your choice of soundtracks with these (and many other) remarkable compositions!