Angela Gheorghiu (“gay-or-GHEE-oo”) recorded an album of this composer’s “heroines,” including spinto roles often sung by Lianna Haroutounian (“hah-roo-TOON-ian”) and Sonya Yoncheva. For 10 points each:
[10e] Name this opera composer whose celebrated interpreters include Zinka Milanov as Leonora and Marina Rebeka as Violetta.
ANSWER: Giuseppe Verdi [or Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi; accept Verdi Heroines] (Leonora is from Il Trovatore, while Violetta appears in La Traviata.)
[10m] Anna Netrebko broke into heavier Verdi roles with a 2014 performance as this character, opposite Željko Lučić (“ZHAYL-koh LOO-cheech”) in the title role. Ekaterina Semenchuk has given mezzo-soprano takes on this role, who sings “Vieni t’affretta.”
ANSWER: Lady Macbeth
[10h] The Met’s 2014 HD broadcast of Macbeth was hosted by this Georgian mezzo known for dramatic Verdi roles like Amneris and Azucena. After she lost her voice in 2021, she was unable to play Eboli (“AY-bo-lee”) in Don Carlo.
ANSWER: Anita Rachvelishvili
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