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Gaetano Donizetti's opera "Rita" is characterized as a grand opera in three acts.
Answer: False
Explanation: The source material indicates that "Rita" is an opera comique in one act, comprising eight musical numbers linked by spoken dialogue, rather than a grand opera in three acts.
"Rita" contains ten musical numbers connected by spoken dialogue.
Answer: False
Explanation: The opera "Rita" comprises eight musical numbers, not ten, which are integrated with spoken dialogue, characteristic of the opera comique genre.
Gaetano Donizetti commenced the composition of "Rita" in 1841 while in London, awaiting a commission.
Answer: False
Explanation: Donizetti began composing "Rita" in 1841 while in Paris, not London, during a period of waiting for another libretto.
According to Gustave Vaëz, Donizetti completed the score for "Rita" in just over a week.
Answer: False
Explanation: The librettist Gustave Vaëz reported that Donizetti completed the score for "Rita" in an exceptionally short timeframe, specifically eight days.
The score for "Rita" was discovered among Donizetti's effects in 1848, the year of his death.
Answer: True
Explanation: The score for "Rita," which remained unperformed during the composer's life, was discovered among Donizetti's effects posthumously in 1848.
Donizetti had the libretto for "Rita" translated into Spanish for a planned performance in Naples.
Answer: False
Explanation: The libretto for "Rita" was translated into Italian, not Spanish, for a planned performance in Naples.
Who composed the opera "Rita"?
Answer: Gaetano Donizetti
Explanation: Gaetano Donizetti composed the opera "Rita".
What is the genre and structure of the opera "Rita"?
Answer: An opera comique in one act with spoken dialogue
Explanation: "Rita" is an opera comique in one act, characterized by spoken dialogue connecting its musical numbers.
Under what circumstances did Donizetti begin composing "Rita"?
Answer: He started it in 1841 while in Paris, waiting for another libretto.
Explanation: Donizetti began composing "Rita" in 1841 while in Paris, awaiting another libretto, and was provided with this libretto by Gustave Vaëz.
The original French title of the opera "Rita" was *Rita, ou Le mari battu*.
Answer: False
Explanation: The opera's original French title was *Deux Hommes et une femme*, not *Rita, ou Le mari battu*, which was a subtitle used at its premiere.
Gustave Vaëz, the librettist for "Rita," had no prior collaborations with Donizetti.
Answer: False
Explanation: The librettist Gustave Vaëz had indeed collaborated with Donizetti on previous operas, contrary to the assertion.
The premiere performance of "Rita" occurred on May 7, 1860, at the Opéra-Comique in Paris.
Answer: True
Explanation: The opera "Rita" premiered on May 7, 1860, at the Opéra-Comique in Paris, France.
The opera premiered under the title *Rita, or The Beaten Husband*.
Answer: True
Explanation: The opera premiered with the subtitle *Rita, ou Le mari battu*, which translates to *Rita, or The Beaten Husband*.
Constance-Caroline Faure-Lefèvre sang the role of Rita at the opera's premiere.
Answer: True
Explanation: Constance-Caroline Faure-Lefèvre was the soprano who originated the role of Rita at the opera's premiere.
Victor Warot performed the role of Beppe in the premiere cast of "Rita".
Answer: True
Explanation: Victor Warot portrayed Beppe in the premiere cast of "Rita".
Barielle originated the role of Gaspar at the 1860 premiere.
Answer: True
Explanation: The role of Gaspar at the 1860 premiere was originated by the baritone Barielle.
Bortolo, a servant in the opera, is a spoken role performed by Jean-Baptiste Faure at the premiere.
Answer: True
Explanation: The role of Bortolo, a servant in "Rita," is indeed a spoken part, and it was performed by Jean-Baptiste Faure at the opera's premiere.
What was the original French title of the opera "Rita"?
Answer: *Deux Hommes et une femme*
Explanation: The original French title of the opera was *Deux Hommes et une femme*.
Who wrote the libretto for Gaetano Donizetti's opera "Rita"?
Answer: Gustave Vaëz
Explanation: The libretto for "Rita" was written by Gustave Vaëz.
When and where did the opera "Rita" have its premiere performance?
Answer: May 7, 1860, at the Opéra-Comique in Paris
Explanation: The opera "Rita" premiered on May 7, 1860, at the Opéra-Comique in Paris.
What was the subtitle of the opera at its premiere, hinting at its plot?
Answer: *The Beaten Husband*
Explanation: The subtitle at its premiere was *Rita, ou Le mari battu*, which translates to *Rita, or The Beaten Husband*.
Who portrayed Beppe, Rita's husband, in the original 1860 production?
Answer: Victor Warot
Explanation: Victor Warot portrayed Beppe, Rita's husband, in the original 1860 production.
"Rita" experienced frequent performances in Paris during Donizetti's lifetime following its initial completion.
Answer: False
Explanation: The opera "Rita" was not frequently performed during Donizetti's lifetime after its completion; it remained unperformed until after his death.
An intended performance of "Rita" in Naples was successfully carried out after the death of impresario Domenico Barbaja.
Answer: False
Explanation: The planned performance of "Rita" in Naples did not materialize; it was abandoned following the death of the impresario Domenico Barbaja.
In the century following its premiere, "Rita" was consistently performed and considered a major success.
Answer: False
Explanation: Contrary to being a consistent success, "Rita" was performed only sporadically in the century following its premiere and was not considered a major success.
"Rita" experienced significant revivals and increased popularity beginning with performances in Rome in 1955 and Milan in 1965.
Answer: True
Explanation: The opera "Rita" saw a resurgence in popularity and critical attention following its revivals in Rome in 1955 and Milan in 1965.
In the 50 years following its revivals, "Rita" has become one of Donizetti's least frequently performed operas.
Answer: False
Explanation: Post-revival, "Rita" has become one of Donizetti's more frequently performed operas, not one of the least.
Why was "Rita" not performed during Gaetano Donizetti's lifetime?
Answer: The Opéra-Comique rejected it, and a planned Naples performance fell through.
Explanation: "Rita" was not performed during Donizetti's lifetime because the Opéra-Comique rejected it, and a planned performance in Naples did not materialize.
How was "Rita" generally received in the century following its premiere?
Answer: It was not considered a great success and was only performed sporadically.
Explanation: In the century following its premiere, "Rita" was not regarded as a significant success and was performed only sporadically.
Which revivals marked a turning point in the opera "Rita's" popularity?
Answer: Rome 1955 and Milan 1965
Explanation: Revivals in Rome in 1955 and Milan in 1965 marked a turning point in the opera "Rita's" popularity.
The role of Rita in the opera is designated for a baritone voice.
Answer: False
Explanation: The role of Rita is written for a soprano voice, not a baritone.
Beppe, Rita's husband, is written for a bass voice.
Answer: False
Explanation: Beppe, Rita's husband, is a tenor role in the opera, not a bass.
Gaspar, Rita's former husband, is characterized as a tenor in the opera.
Answer: False
Explanation: Gaspar, Rita's former husband, is written for a baritone voice, not a tenor.
What voice type is required for the role of Rita?
Answer: Soprano
Explanation: The role of Rita is designated for a soprano voice.
What voice type does Gaspar, Rita's former husband, have in the opera?
Answer: Baritone
Explanation: Gaspar, Rita's former husband, is characterized as a baritone in the opera.
The opera "Rita" is set in the 19th century at an inn on the road between Genoa and Turin.
Answer: False
Explanation: The opera "Rita" is set in the 18th century, not the 19th, at an inn situated on the road between Genoa and Turin.
Rita is depicted as the timid husband of the tyrannical Peppe.
Answer: False
Explanation: The opera depicts Rita as the tyrannical and abusive wife of the timid Peppe, reversing the roles stated.
Gaspar returns to Rita's inn to claim her property after believing she had died.
Answer: False
Explanation: Gaspar returns to Rita's inn not to claim property, but to obtain her death certificate, as he mistakenly believes she died in a fire.
Peppe, weary of Rita's abuse, sees Gaspar's arrival as an opportunity to remain married to Rita.
Answer: False
Explanation: Peppe, suffering under Rita's tyranny, perceives Gaspar's arrival as an opportunity to be freed from his marriage to Rita, not to remain married.
Peppe and Gaspar agree to play a game where the loser must remain with Rita.
Answer: False
Explanation: Peppe and Gaspar agree to a game where the winner, not the loser, must remain with Rita.
During the game, both Peppe and Gaspar actively try to win to be with Rita.
Answer: False
Explanation: Both Peppe and Gaspar actively attempt to lose the game, as neither desires to remain married to Rita.
Rita readily agrees to return to Gaspar as his wife after he wins the game.
Answer: False
Explanation: Rita declines to return to Gaspar as his wife, even after he wins the game, due to the history of abuse she endured from him.
Gaspar, pretending he lost the game, convinces Rita to stay with Peppe.
Answer: False
Explanation: Gaspar, after winning the game, pretends to have lost and persuades Peppe to declare his love for Rita, thereby allowing Gaspar to depart.
What is the setting of the opera "Rita"?
Answer: An 18th-century inn on the road between Genoa and Turin, Italy
Explanation: The opera "Rita" is set in an 18th-century inn on the road between Genoa and Turin, Italy.
How is Rita described in relation to her husband Peppe in the opera's synopsis?
Answer: Tyrannical and abusive
Explanation: Rita is described as the tyrannical and abusive wife of Peppe.
What is Gaspar's primary motivation for returning to Rita's inn?
Answer: To obtain her death certificate so he can remarry.
Explanation: Gaspar's primary motivation for returning to Rita's inn is to obtain her death certificate, which he needs to remarry, based on his erroneous belief that she had perished in a fire.
What agreement do Peppe and Gaspar make to decide who stays with Rita?
Answer: They play a game where the winner stays.
Explanation: Peppe and Gaspar agree to play a game where the winner will remain with Rita, and the loser is free to depart.
Why does Rita refuse to return to Gaspar even after he wins the game?
Answer: She suffered frequent abuse from Gaspar in the past.
Explanation: Rita refuses to return to Gaspar as his wife, even after he wins the game, due to the history of abuse she endured from him.
How does Gaspar ultimately resolve the situation with Rita and Peppe?
Answer: He convinces Peppe to stay with Rita, allowing Gaspar to leave.
Explanation: Gaspar ultimately resolves the situation by pretending to have lost the game and persuading Peppe to affirm his love for Rita and commitment to remaining with her, thereby enabling Gaspar's departure.
In 2008, Casa Ricordi published a new critical edition that removed the original spoken French dialogue.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 2008 critical edition published by Casa Ricordi restored the original spoken French dialogue, rather than removing it.
The New Century Chamber Orchestra presented "Rita" in concert form across four locations in the Bay Area in 2014.
Answer: True
Explanation: In 2014, the New Century Chamber Orchestra, in collaboration with the San Francisco Opera's Adler Fellows, performed "Rita" in concert across four Bay Area venues.
The Berliner Operngruppe performed a staged version of "Rita" in its original Italian at the Konzerthaus Berlin in 2021.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Berliner Operngruppe presented a staged version of "Rita" in its original French, not Italian, at the Konzerthaus Berlin in 2021.
Opera Rara released a recording of "Rita" in the original French in March 2014, conducted by Sir Mark Elder.
Answer: True
Explanation: Opera Rara issued a recording of "Rita" in its original French in March 2014, under the baton of Sir Mark Elder.
Katarina Karnéus performed the role of Peppe in the 2014 Opera Rara recording.
Answer: False
Explanation: Katarina Karnéus performed the title role of Rita in the 2014 Opera Rara recording; the role of Peppe was sung by Barry Banks.
The 1991 recording of "Rita" featured Adelina Scarabelli as Rita and Alessandro Corbelli as Gaspar.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 1991 recording of "Rita" indeed featured Adelina Scarabelli in the title role and Alessandro Corbelli as Gaspar.
The 2001 Kicco Classic recording of "Rita" was performed in the original French language.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 2001 Kicco Classic recording of "Rita" was performed in Italian, not the original French.
Sir Mark Elder conducted the 2014 Opera Rara recording, accompanied by The Hallé orchestra.
Answer: True
Explanation: Sir Mark Elder conducted the 2014 Opera Rara recording of "Rita," with accompaniment provided by The Hallé orchestra.
The image caption 'Donizetti, in an 1842 portrait by Joseph Kriehuber' refers to a sketch for the opera's libretto cover.
Answer: False
Explanation: The caption refers to an 1842 portrait of Donizetti by Joseph Kriehuber, not a sketch for a libretto cover.
What significant development occurred in 2008 regarding the score of "Rita"?
Answer: The original spoken French dialogue was restored in a critical edition.
Explanation: In 2008, Casa Ricordi published a new critical edition that restored the original spoken French dialogue.
Who reconstructed the original French version of "Rita" for the 2008 critical edition?
Answer: Paolo A. Rossini and Francesco Bellotto
Explanation: The reconstruction of the original French version for the 2008 critical edition was undertaken by musicologists Paolo A. Rossini and Francesco Bellotto, based on a recently discovered manuscript libretto with autograph annotations by Donizetti.
Which recording label released "Rita" in its original French in March 2014?
Answer: Opera Rara
Explanation: Opera Rara released the recording of "Rita" in its original French in March 2014.
Who conducted the 2014 Opera Rara recording of "Rita"?
Answer: Sir Mark Elder
Explanation: Sir Mark Elder conducted the 2014 Opera Rara recording of "Rita".
Which singer performed the title role of Rita in the 2014 Opera Rara recording?
Answer: Katarina Karnéus
Explanation: Katarina Karnéus performed the title role of Rita in the 2014 Opera Rara recording.
Who performed the role of Gaspar in the 1991 recording of "Rita"?
Answer: Alessandro Corbelli
Explanation: Alessandro Corbelli performed the role of Gaspar in the 1991 recording of "Rita".
What label released a recording of "Rita" in 2001, and in what language was it performed?
Answer: Kicco Classic, in Italian
Explanation: Kicco Classic released a recording of "Rita" in 2001, which was performed in Italian, featuring artists such as Teresa di Bari, Walter Omaggio, and Paolo Bordogna.
What does the image caption 'Donizetti, in an 1842 portrait by Joseph Kriehuber' refer to?
Answer: A painting of the composer created in 1842.
Explanation: The caption refers to an 1842 portrait of the composer Gaetano Donizetti, created by the artist Joseph Kriehuber.