​One of the most remarkably successful operas of all time, "The Phantom of the Opera" is a masterpiece of Andrew Lloyd Webber with the collaborative efforts of Richard Stilgoe who crafted most of the original lyrics, then eventually re-written by Charles Hart. It is based on a French novel of the same title written by Gaston Leroux.

The story line is unusually encompassing with an intriguing blend of mystique and timelessness. It narrates Christine Daaé, a gorgeous budding soprano who finds herself in the fixation of the "Phantom", who is considered to be an “angel of music” yet resembling that of the devil. Lloyd Webber has successfully evoked the Phantom's deeper human emotions, a desperate longing for society's acceptance albeit his uncannily dangerous character that the audience will find themselves empathetic with his sufferings.

The musical score is a phenomenal success with multiple awards including "The Best Musical", translated to various languages and produced in more than 28 countries. 

Learn more about its tremendous achievement at: https://galaxymusicnotes.com/pages/learn-about-phantom-of-the-opera-fascinated-by-many

​Derived from a novel written by Henri Murger entitled “Scènes de la vie de bohème,” or “Scenes from Bohemian Life” Giacomo Puccini had breathed life the memorable yet tumultuous love story of a poor French couple, Mimi and Rodolfo that eventually became an integral part of the opera repertory, both in Italy and worldwide. It is a successful opera accompanied by an Italian libretto written by Giuseppe Giacosa and in collaboration with Luigi Illica.

Although there were criticisms about "La bohème's" lack of sophistication, depth and moral ambiguity like the works of of Verdi or Mozart, Puccini has proven that he has an outstanding musical intuition with his concise atmospheric plot, musical artistry and sentimentality that grips mightily the viewer’s emotions through the duets and arias that led to its massive popularity.

In fact, there had been commemorative pieces and modernized versions of "La bohème" from other known conductors which even bagged 2 prestigious Tony Awards in the Broadway. 

Learn more about this time-proof masterpiece at: https://galaxymusicnotes.com/pages/the-story-behind-the-opera-la-boheme-by-puccini

​"The Marriage of Figaro" is a grand four acts musical spectacle crafted by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in collaboration with talented Lorenzo Da Ponte who wrote the Italian libretto.

“The Marriage of Figaro,” also known as “Le nozze di Figaro” in Italian, is a comic opera where the libretto is based on a stage comedy titled “The Mad Day” or “The Marriage of Figaro” by Pierre Beaumarchais. 

The story revolves of servants Susanna and Figaro, and how they have triumphed their philandering employer Count Almaviva. The romance eventually succeeded into marriage albeit some crazy twists and turns. 

Mozart's grandeur musical imagination had truly captivated the audience as he fused the instrumental structures beautifully with spot-on comedy, dramatic tension; a truly fizzing volcano of emotions where the audience connects with the characters, caught in the vast cycle of commitment, infidelity, transgression, and forgiveness which are actually part of life!

Learn more about this reinvigorated operatic discourse at: https://galaxymusicnotes.com/pages/learn-the-story-behind-the-marriage-of-figaro-by-mozart

"La traviata” or “The Fallen Woman” is a controversial opera created by an equally controversial composer Giuseppe Verdi. He collaborated with Francesco Maria Piave who had artistically written its unique libretto.

The play is an adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' novel entitled "Camille" based on his fictionalized affair with Marie Duplessis, who was a real-life escort.

It was originally entitled “Amore e morte” or “Love and Death” and then subsequently changed by Verdi to “La traviata”.

The opera daringly exposed social issues like politics, misogyny, self-righteousness and hypocrisy, a road less traversed by musical composers during those time.

Giuseppe Verdi being a man who had experienced a lot in life, endured heavy criticisms as the press continuously pounded on the moral rectitude of his masterpiece.

Nevertheless, this outstanding musical theme gripped a lot of hearts and support. "La traviata” endearingly  sends a strong message that everyone CAN experience the true strength of love which made it a theatrical success! 

Click the link to read more about the opera: https://galaxymusicnotes.com/pages/the-story-behind-the-opera-la-traviata-by-giuseppe-verdi