Opera and Philosophy

Parsifal is a late opera by Richard Wagner, first performed in 1882. It is based on the medieval legend of the Holy Grail and tells the story of the knight Parsifal, who is chosen to find the Holy Grail and heal the wounded King Amfortas.

The Marriage of Figaro is an opera buffa in four acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with an Italian libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte. It is based on the play The Marriage of Figaro by Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais.

Rigoletto is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi, with a libretto by Francesco Maria Piave. It is based on the play Rigoletto by Victor Hugo.

La Bohème is an opera in four acts by Giacomo Puccini, with a libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica. It is based on the novel La Bohème by Henri Murger.

Salome is an opera in one act by Richard Strauss, with a libretto by Hedwig Lachmann. It is based on the play Salome by Oscar Wilde.

Wozzeck is an opera in three acts by Alban Berg, with a libretto by the composer. It is based on the play Wozzeck by Georg Büchner.

A Midsummer Night's Dream is an opera in three acts by Benjamin Britten, with a libretto by the composer and Peter Pears. It is based on the play A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare.

Nixon in China is an opera in three acts by John Adams, with a libretto by Alice Goodman. It is based on the novel Nixon in China by Mao Zedong.

Koyaanisqatsi is an opera in three acts by Philip Glass, with a libretto by the composer. It is based on the film Koyaanisqatsi by Godfrey Reggio.

Donnerstag aus Licht is an opera cycle in seven parts by Karlheinz Stockhausen, with a libretto by the composer. It is based on the novel Donnerstag aus Licht by Harry Mulisch.

Un re in ascolto is an opera in two acts by Luciano Berio, with a libretto by Italo Calvino. It is based on the novel Un re in ascolto by Italo Calvino.

The Bassarids is an opera in three acts by Hans Werner Henze, with a libretto by W.H. Auden and Chester Kallman. It is based on the play The Bassarids by W.H. Auden and Chester Kallman.

Aus einem deutschen Requiem is an opera in two acts by Mauricio Kagel, with a libretto by the composer. It is based on the novel Aus einem deutschen Requiem by Johannes Brahms.

Le Grand Macabre is an opera in two acts by György Ligeti, with a libretto by Michel de Ghelderode. It is based on the novel Le Grand Macabre by Michel de Ghelderode.

Die Teufel von Loudun is an opera in three acts by Krzysztof Penderecki, with a libretto by the composer. It is based on the play Die Teufel von Loudun by John Whiting.