Soubrettes saving the day: What is a soubrette and what is their typical role in Opera?
Often the bridesmaid and not the bride, Soubrettes are ever present, but many Opera lovers probably could not tell you exactly what one is. Frequently the driving force of many plots, come and find out more about some of Opera's most beloved Soubrette roles.
Join British-Argentine soprano Ceferina Penny, recent alumna of the National Opera Studio (2024–25), as she explores the delights of the soubrette soprano voice, from Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro to Musetta in La bohème.
Arias
L’ho perduta, me meschina – Le nozze di Figaro – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Una donna a quindici anni – Così fan tutte – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Batti, batti, o bel Masetto – Don Giovanni – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Giunse alfin il momento… Deh vieni, non tardar – Le nozze di Figaro – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Einst träumte meiner sel’gen Base – Der Freischütz – Carl Maria von Weber
Frère, voyez! – Werther – Jules Massenet
Wo bin ich? – Hänsel und Gretel – Engelbert Humperdinck
Quando m’en vo’ – La Bohème – Giacomo Puccini
Prendi, per me sei libero – L’elisir d’amore – Gaetano Donizetti