The Most Popular Opera Buffa Composed by Mozart, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the by Mozart you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 27, 2024 06:45
In the world of classical music, the charm and complexity of Opera Buffa hold a special place, especially those composed by Mozart, known for their lively characters and intricate plots. Determining which of these operas resonates most with audiences can offer insights into contemporary tastes and preferences, enriching our appreciation of historical art forms. Ranking these works allows us to see which themes and melodies transcend time and continue to touch the hearts of listeners.
By participating in this ranking, music lovers contribute to a broader understanding of how Mozart's comedic operas compare with each other in today's cultural landscape. This list is not only a fun way to engage with classic opera but also serves as an educational tool, helping new audiences connect with the genre in a meaningful way. Your vote helps paint a clearer picture of the enduring legacy of Mozart’s operas, ensuring they remain alive and appreciated across generations.
What Is the Most Popular Opera Buffa Composed by Mozart?
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166votes
Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainThe Marriage of Figaro
Wolfgang Amadeus MozartThis opera is considered one of Mozart's greatest works and is known for its witty and satirical portrayal of the aristocracy. It features some of Mozart's most memorable music, including the famous "Figaro, Figaro, Figaro" aria.The Marriage of Figaro is a beloved opera buffa composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It is based on the French play of the same name by Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais. This opera tells a comedic and dramatic story about Figaro, a valet, and Susanna, a maid, who are about to get married. Count Almaviva, their master, tries to exercise his feudal right to sleep with the bride-to-be, resulting in a series of humorous love triangles, misunderstandings, and plots.- Genre: Opera Buffa
- Language: Italian
- Premiere Date: May 1, 1786
- Librettist: Lorenzo Da Ponte
- Number of Acts: 4
The Marriage of Figaro in other rankings- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular piece by Mozart
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular opera of all time
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240votes
Lionelmozart · CC BY-SA 4.0Don Giovanni
Wolfgang Amadeus MozartThis opera tells the story of the infamous libertine Don Giovanni and his eventual downfall. It is known for its dramatic intensity and powerful music, including the famous "Catalogue Aria" in which Don Giovanni recounts his many romantic conquests.Don Giovanni is an opera in two acts composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It is considered one of Mozart's most famous and influential works. The opera premiered in 1787 and is based on the myth of Don Juan, a fictional libertine and seducer. Don Giovanni tells the story of the arrogant and promiscuous nobleman, Don Giovanni, who encounters various romantic and comedic adventures, ultimately leading to his downfall and damnation.- Genre: Opera
- Language: Italian
- Premiere Date: October 29, 1787
- Act: Two acts
- Duration: Approximately 3 hours
Don Giovanni in other rankings- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular opera of all time
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular piece by Mozart
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315votes
Così fan tutte
Wolfgang Amadeus MozartThis opera is a comedic exploration of love and fidelity, and is known for its beautiful music and clever libretto. It features some of Mozart's most famous arias, including "Come scoglio" and "Una donna a quindici anni."Così fan tutte is an Italian opera buffa, or comic opera, composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It premiered in 1790 and is often translated as 'Thus Do They All'. The opera tells the story of two young soldiers who make a bet with an older gentleman to test the faithfulness of their fiancées. The humorous and sometimes cynical plot explores themes of love, loyalty, and the fickleness of human nature.- Genre: Opera buffa
- Language: Italian
- Premiere: 1790 in Vienna
- Translation: 'Thus Do They All'
- Plot: Young soldiers make a bet to test their fiancées' faithfulness
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420votes
Karl Friedrich Schinkel · Public domainThe Magic Flute
Wolfgang Amadeus MozartThis opera is a fantastical fairy tale that explores themes of love, wisdom, and enlightenment. It features some of Mozart's most beloved music, including the famous Queen of the Night aria.The Magic Flute, also known as Die Zauberflöte in German, is an opera in two acts composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It is considered one of Mozart's most popular and influential works, blending both comedic and serious elements. The opera tells the story of Prince Tamino as he embarks on a quest to rescue Princess Pamina from the clutches of the Queen of the Night. Along his journey, Tamino encounters fantastical characters, undergoes trials, and learns about the power of love and enlightenment.- Premiere Date: 30 September 1791
- Genre: Opera
- Language: German
- Number of Acts: 2
- Key Characters: Prince Tamino, Princess Pamina, Queen of the Night, Papageno
The Magic Flute in other rankings- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular opera of all time
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517votes
La finta giardiniera
Wolfgang Amadeus MozartThis opera is a lighthearted comedy that tells the story of a feisty young woman who disguises herself as a gardener in order to escape an arranged marriage. It features some of Mozart's most charming music, including the beautiful duet "Crudeli, fermate."La finta giardiniera is a popular Opera Buffa composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It was first performed in 1775 in Munich, Germany. The opera is set in Italy and tells the story of Sandrina, a noblewoman disguised as a gardener, who works in the household of the Podestà. The plot revolves around themes of love, jealousy, and mistaken identities.- Year of composition: 1775
- Genre: Opera buffa
- Language: Italian
- Number of acts: 3
- Duration: Approximately 3 hours
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610votes
Il re pastore
Wolfgang Amadeus MozartThis opera is a pastoral tale of love and loyalty set in ancient Greece. It features some of Mozart's most beautiful music, including the hauntingly beautiful aria "L'amerò, sarò costante."Il re pastore is an opera buffa composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1775. It is a pastoral opera in two acts, with a libretto written by Metastasio. The plot revolves around the story of a young shepherd named Aminta, who is revealed to be the rightful king of Sidon. The opera explores themes of love, power, and forgiveness, showcasing Mozart's mastery of comedic and lyrical musical styles.- Genre: Opera buffa
- Year of composition: 1775
- Libretto: Metastasio
- Number of acts: 2
- Setting: Ancient Sidon
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718votes
Dora Stock · Public domainThis opera is a comedic romp that tells the story of a young man who must choose between two potential brides. It features some of Mozart's most delightful music, including the lively aria "Vorrei spiegarvi, oh Dio!" -
810votes
Dora Stock · Public domain
Lo sposo deluso
Wolfgang Amadeus MozartThis opera is a witty comedy that explores the theme of mistaken identity. It features some of Mozart's most charming music, including the beautiful aria "Per pietà, non ricercate."Lo sposo deluso is an opera buffa, also known as The Deluded Bridegroom. It was composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1783. The plot revolves around a bridegroom who is mistaken for someone else, leading to various comedic situations and misunderstandings. It is a lighthearted and humorous opera, characteristic of the opera buffa genre.- Genre: Opera Buffa
- Year of composition: 1783
- Language: Italian
- Number of acts: 2
- Number of characters: 8
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94votes
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Marco Coltellini · Public domainLa finta semplice
Wolfgang Amadeus MozartThis opera is a lighthearted comedy that tells the story of a young woman who pretends to be simple in order to win the affections of a wealthy suitor. It features some of Mozart's most delightful music, including the beautiful aria "Chi sa, chi sa, qual sia."La finta semplice is a comic opera in three acts that was composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It is an opera buffa, which means it is a comedic opera that typically includes witty dialogue and light-hearted musical elements.- Act Structure: Three acts
- Genre: Opera buffa
- Premiere: January 1, 1768
- Librettist: Marco Coltellini
- Setting: An imaginary Hungarian village
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109votes
Der Schauspieldirektor
Wolfgang Amadeus MozartThis opera is a comedic exploration of the world of theater and features some of Mozart's most entertaining music, including the lively duet "Ich bin die erste Sängerin."Der Schauspieldirektor, also known as The Impresario, is a one-act opera buffa composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It was written in 1786 and premiered as part of a competition for the opening of a new theater in Vienna. The libretto was written by Gottlieb Stephanie and the music by Mozart.- Genre: Opera Buffa
- Composition Year: 1786
- Premiere Year: 1786
- Librettist: Gottlieb Stephanie
- Language: German
Missing your favorite by Mozart?
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular by Mozart
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Historical significanceEvaluate the impact of the opera on the development of the opera buffa genre and how it influenced future composers or the broader cultural context.
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Originality and innovationConsider the unique aspects of the opera in terms of its characters, plot, and musical themes that set it apart from other works.
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Mastery of the musical formAnalyze the composition techniques, vocal and orchestral parts, and the overall balance between comedy and emotional depth in the opera.
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MelodiesEvaluate the beauty, memorability, and the complexity of the melodies in the opera, as well as how they contribute to the work's overall quality.
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Integration of music, drama, and comedyAnalyze how well Mozart combined the various aspects of opera buffa – music, storytelling, and humor – to create a cohesive work.
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Character development and complexityConsider the depth and diversity of the characters in the opera, and how they contribute to the overall narrative and emotional weight of the work.
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Social and political themesEvaluate any commentary the opera makes on contemporary society, politics, or human nature, and how well these themes are incorporated into the work.
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LibrettoAnalyze the quality of the libretto, including the language, structure, and the way it complements the music.
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Reception and popularity over timeAssess the historical and contemporary popularity of the opera, both among critics and audiences, and its ability to remain relevant to new generations.
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Performance history and adaptationsConsider the opera's history of performances and recordings, including notable adaptations and translations, to gauge its wider impact on the operatic canon.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Opera Buffa composed by Mozart. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Composition is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1993 views
- 206 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Composition once every 24 hours. The rank of each Composition is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular opera buffa composed by mozart
Opera Buffa, also known as comic opera, was a popular genre of opera in the 18th century. Mozart, one of the greatest composers of his time, composed several notable works in this genre, including The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, and Così fan tutte. The Marriage of Figaro, based on a play by Pierre Beaumarchais, is considered one of the greatest works of opera buffa ever written. Don Giovanni, which tells the story of the legendary seducer, is known for its famous aria "La ci darem la mano." Così fan tutte is a playful exploration of love and fidelity. All three operas continue to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world. But which one is the most popular? Let's find out with a StrawPoll!
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