Entre o Passado e o Futuro

A ópera contemporânea brasileira no século XXI

Abstract

Season planning for opera theatres and orchestras around the globe are based on a limited number of titles by well-known composers. The canonization of an operatic repertoire has limited artistic choices mostly to the same works by popular 20th century composers. However, in the last few years, new operatic works by contemporary composers have gained more and more space within operatic seasons. How does this phenomenon apply to Brazil? What are the new Brazilian operas and who are their composers? Although opera as a genre has weathered a downturn in Brazilian culture when compared to its heydays in mid-twentieth century, it does follow a global tendency to stimulate production of new works. This article presents quantitative data regarding the production of new contemporary Brazilian operas premiered in the 21^st century. Although the traditional repertoire continues to be the most produced titles in Brazil there a significant increase in the premiere of new Brazilian operas over the last two decades.