Part 5: Quotation with an allusion from My Antonia.
“On Saturday nights, Mrs. Harling used to play the old operas for us-‘Martha,’ ‘Norma,’ ‘Rigoletto’ - telling us the story while she played.” (Cather 117)
Martha- Martha, or The Market at Richmond, is a romantic comic opera by Friedrich von Flotow. It was first performed in Vienna on November 25, 1847.
Norma- Norma is a tragic opera written by Alexandre Soumet. It was first produced in September 1, 1831. The lead role is still considered one of the most difficult roles for a soprano singer.
Rigoletto- Rigoletto is a three act play by Giuseppe Verdi. First performed in Venice on March 11, 1851.
