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Quizzes > Entertainment & Pop Culture > Music

Challenge Yourself with Our Opera Trivia Quiz!

Think you can ace opera trivia? Let's find out!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration featuring opera masks, sheet music and quiz cards on sky blue background testing opera trivia

Calling all opera enthusiasts! Ready to embark on a thrilling opera trivia adventure? This free Opera Music Quiz is your ticket to test iconic arias, legendary composers, and fun classical opera trivia facts. Along the way, you'll uncover hidden stories behind each aria and sharpen your ear for dramatic flourishes that define the genre. You'll tackle famous opera questions, challenge your knowledge of dramatic librettos, and enjoy an engaging opera knowledge test designed for both newcomers and seasoned aficionados. Jump into a world where every note counts, try curated quiz questions classical music , and see if you can hit all the right high notes. Let the grand performance begin - start your quiz now!

Which composer wrote the opera "La Traviata"?
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Richard Wagner
Giacomo Puccini
Giuseppe Verdi
Giuseppe Verdi composed "La Traviata," which premiered in 1853 in Venice. It is one of his most popular operas and features the famous soprano role Violetta. The work is based on Alexandre Dumas fils' play La Dame aux Camélias. Wikipedia
What is the Italian term for an elaborate solo vocal piece in an opera?
Recitative
Aria
Overture
Ensemble
An aria is a solo vocal piece with instrumental accompaniment, showcasing a character's emotions and vocal virtuosity. Recitative, by contrast, imitates speech for narrative progression. The overture is orchestral, and an ensemble involves multiple singers. Wikipedia
Which opera begins with the famous "Habanera" aria?
La Bohème
Carmen
Don Giovanni
Tosca
"Habanera" (L'amour est un oiseau rebelle) is the entr'acte aria sung by Carmen in Act 1. Composed by Georges Bizet, it became one of the most recognizable melodies in opera. It illustrates Carmen's free-spirited character. Wikipedia
What language is Giacomo Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" primarily sung in?
Italian
English
French
German
Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" is sung in Italian and premiered in Milan in 1904. Though set in Japan, the libretto remains in Italian with Japanese names. It became one of Puccini's most enduring works. Wikipedia
Which term refers to the introductory orchestral music before an opera begins?
Overture
Finale
Intermezzo
Cadenza
An overture is the orchestral introduction to an opera, setting the thematic tone. A finale concludes an act, intermezzo is a short orchestral interlude, and a cadenza is a solo passage. Wikipedia
Which famous opera house is located in New York City?
La Scala
Teatro Colón
Royal Opera House
Metropolitan Opera
The Metropolitan Opera, often called "The Met," is the leading opera company in New York City since 1883. La Scala is in Milan, the Royal Opera House is in London, and Teatro Colón is in Buenos Aires. Wikipedia
Which composer is known as the "Father of German Opera"?
Johann Sebastian Bach
Georg Philipp Telemann
Carl Maria von Weber
Richard Wagner
Richard Wagner revolutionized German opera with works like "The Ring Cycle." His emphasis on leitmotifs and continuous music earned him the title. Carl Maria von Weber also contributed, but Wagner's impact was greater. Wikipedia
What is the typical voice type for the lead male romantic role in many operas?
Countertenor
Baritone
Bass
Tenor
The tenor voice, known for its bright, high range, often portrays the romantic male lead. Basses usually play authority figures or villains, baritones play antagonists or supporting roles, and countertenors specialize in early music. Wikipedia
In Mozart's "The Magic Flute," which character sings the Queen of the Night arias?
The Queen of the Night
Sarastro
Papageno
Pamina
The Queen of the Night is the title character who sings two famous arias, including "Der Hölle Rache." Pamina is her daughter, Papageno is a bird-catcher, and Sarastro is the high priest. Wikipedia
Which opera by Giuseppe Verdi is based on Shakespeare's play about a Scottish king?
Falstaff
Otello
Macbeth
Don Carlo
Verdi's "Macbeth" adapts Shakespeare's tragedy. It premiered in 1847 and revised in 1865. Otello and Falstaff are also Shakespearean but about Othello and The Merry Wives of Windsor. Wikipedia
In Bizet's "Carmen," what is Don José's profession at the beginning?
Bullfighter
Soldier
Farmer
Innkeeper
Don José is a corporal in the army when he first meets Carmen. His military duty conflicts with his passion, driving the drama forward. Bullfighting appears later with Escamillo. Wikipedia
Which language is predominantly used in Richard Strauss's opera "Der Rosenkavalier"?
French
Italian
German
English
"Der Rosenkavalier" uses a German libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal. It premiered in Dresden in 1911 and employs Viennese dialect elements. The opera's title means "The Knight of the Rose." Wikipedia
Who wrote the libretto for Puccini's "La Bohème"?
Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa
Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy
Arrigo Boito
Eugène Scribe
Puccini's "La Bohème" libretto was crafted by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa based on Murger's novel Scènes de la vie de bohème. Scribe wrote for other composers, Boito collaborated on Verdi's later works, and Meilhac/Halévy wrote for Offenbach. Wikipedia
Which opera features the chorus "Va, pensiero"?
Aida
Nabucco
Rigoletto
Il Trovatore
"Va, pensiero" is the famous Hebrew Slaves' Chorus from Verdi's "Nabucco," premiered in 1842. It became an unofficial anthem of Italian nationalism. Aida's choruses are different, and Rigoletto/Il Trovatore have no such chorus. Wikipedia
In Wagner's Ring Cycle, which character forges the ring that becomes cursed?
Alberich
Wotan
Loge
Mime
Alberich, a Nibelung dwarf, steals gold from the Rhine maidens and forges a ring of power. Wotan later takes it, leading to the curse. Mime is Alberich's brother, and Loge is the demigod of fire. Wikipedia
Which Puccini opera concludes with the aria "Nessun dorma"?
Tosca
Turandot
Madama Butterfly
Manon Lescaut
"Nessun dorma" is sung by Prince Calàf in the final act of Puccini's "Turandot." It became a signature tenor aria especially after Luciano Pavarotti's performances. The other operas have famous arias but not this one. Wikipedia
Which opera by Benjamin Britten is based on a Greek tragedy by Sophocles?
The Turn of the Screw
Billy Budd
Peter Grimes
Oedipus Rex
Britten's "Oedipus Rex" is an opera-oratorio with Latin text by Jean Cocteau, based directly on Sophocles' tragedy. It premiered in 1927. The other works are original or based on different sources. Wikipedia
In Rossini's "The Barber of Seville," what disguise does Figaro help the Count to assume?
A friar
A drunken soldier
A nobleman
A music teacher
Figaro dresses the Count Almaviva as a drunken soldier to gain entry to Rosina's house. Later he also disguises the Count as a music teacher (Don Alonso), but the first disguise is the soldier. Wikipedia
Which opera's story revolves around the legendary magician Prospero from Shakespeare?
Dido and Aeneas by Purcell
The Tempest by Thomas Adès
The Rake's Progress by Stravinsky
Lear by Aribert Reimann
Thomas Adès composed "The Tempest" in 2004 based on Shakespeare's play featuring Prospero. Purcell's "Dido and Aeneas" is Virgil-based, Reimann's "Lear" is King Lear, and Stravinsky's is a Hogarth series. Wikipedia
Who composed the opera "Salome," famous for its "Dance of the Seven Veils"?
Carl Orff
Sergei Prokofiev
Richard Strauss
Maurice Ravel
Richard Strauss wrote "Salome," first performed in 1905. The "Dance of the Seven Veils" occurs in Act III. Orff wrote "Carmina Burana," Ravel wrote "L'heure espagnole," and Prokofiev wrote "The Love for Three Oranges." Wikipedia
Which Puccini opera features the character Liu, who sings the aria "Signore, ascolta!"?
Manon Lescaut
Turandot
La Rondine
Edgar
Liu sings "Signore, ascolta!" pleading with Prince Calàf in Act I of "Turandot." The aria expresses her compassion and love. The other Puccini operas do not feature this character. Wikipedia
In Verdi's "Don Carlo," which historical figure is the opera's central monarch?
Charles V
Ferdinand I
King Philip II of Spain
Louis XIV
Philip II of Spain is the titular king in Verdi's "Don Carlo," dealing with personal, political, and religious conflicts. Charles V is Philip's father but not central in the opera. Wikipedia
Which operatic term describes a rapid vocal passage with many notes sung to one syllable?
Coloratura
Portamento
Legato
Staccato
Coloratura refers to elaborate ornamentation with rapid notes on single syllables, common in bel canto operas. Portamento is sliding between notes, staccato is detached, and legato is smooth. Wikipedia
Which 17th-century Italian composer is credited with inventing the first opera, "Dafne," now mostly lost?
Francesco Cavalli
Girolamo Frescobaldi
Claudio Monteverdi
Jacopo Peri
Jacopo Peri composed "Dafne" around 1597 - 1598 for the Florentine Camerata, marking the earliest known opera. Monteverdi's "L'Orfeo" in 1607 is the earliest surviving. Wikipedia
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Iconic Arias -

    Retrieve and name standout arias from opera history, enriching your opera trivia skills with memorable melodies and their historical contexts.

  2. Identify Legendary Composers -

    Match famous composers to their most celebrated works, sharpening your knowledge of the great names behind classical opera trivia.

  3. Distinguish Opera Periods -

    Differentiate between Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and modern opera styles, deepening your understanding of how the genre evolved.

  4. Recognize Famous Characters -

    Associate key opera characters with their storylines and arias, boosting your ability to recall details in this opera music quiz.

  5. Explore Hidden Gems -

    Discover lesser”known works and arias, expanding your repertoire beyond the classics and adding depth to your opera knowledge test.

  6. Apply Performance Facts -

    Connect world premiere dates and landmark performances to specific operas, giving context to pivotal moments in opera music history.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Iconic Arias and Their Origins -

    Review signature arias like Puccini's "Nessun Dorma" (Turandot, 1926) and Verdi's "La donna è mobile" (Rigoletto, 1851) to master classic opera trivia. A handy mnemonic - "Never Dormant Voices" for Nessun Dorma - helps anchor composers, titles, and premiere years. Details from The Metropolitan Opera archives offer reliable context for each masterpiece.

  2. Legendary Composers and Styles -

    Understand stylistic periods by grouping Mozart (Classical), Verdi (Romantic), and Wagner (Late Romantic) to ace your opera music quiz. Use the acronym "MoVeW" to recall Mozart, Verdi, and Wagner in historical order. Insights drawn from Juilliard School lectures ensure academic accuracy.

  3. Opera Structure: Acts, Scenes, and Recitatives -

    Familiarize yourself with the anatomy of an opera - number of acts, aria-recitative contrasts, and ensemble finales - to tackle classical opera trivia confidently. For example, Figaro's continuous drama in Act I of Le nozze di Figaro demonstrates Mozart's use of recitative to drive plot. Oxford Music Online provides detailed breakdowns of these forms.

  4. Language and Libretto Essentials -

    Memorize key libretto languages - Italian, German, and French - to help decode famous opera questions about text and translation. A simple tool: the acronym "IGF" for Italian, German, French operas and their characteristic vocal styles. Research from the Cambridge Opera Journal underscores how surtitles and translations evolved in performance.

  5. Performance Venues and Historic Premieres -

    Know major opera houses (La Scala, Covent Garden, Met) and landmark premieres like Verdi's Aida (Cairo, 1871) to elevate your opera knowledge test score. Remember the phrase "Scenic Cairo Applauds" to link venue and date. Data from Opera Europa confirm these milestones.

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