opera situations that keep happening
1. Mad Scene: usually happens to coloratura sopranos, but occasionally tenors or basses can catch it too
2. Standard Baritone Overreaction: you are a decent baritone minding your own business, then something happens and you think your wife cheated on you with the tenor. maybe she did but either way you have the irresistible urge to shank the tenor (or your wife. or both)
3. Tenor Hissyfit: the tenor equivalent of the above. if soprano interacts with any other man she a thot! this can range from calling her a whore to whining about your broken heart to straight up murder. for some reason sopranos don’t dump these immature jerks.
4. Tenor/Baritone Duet of Scorching Passion: no matter whether you are best friends or archenemies. if you are the same generation and there is a duet there will be homoerotic tension.
5. Sensible Bass or Mezzo Best Friend Not Listened To: these poor characters know they are in an opera and try to warn the reckless tenor/soprano/baritone in vain
6. Bass Aria of Depression: bass (or bass-baritone) is sad and/or haunted by his past fuckups. lowkey wants to die.
7. Previously On: this can go to any character. isn’t it lovely when most of the plot happened long ago?
8. I’m In Love Aria: typical for tenors and sopranos, occasionally baritones. really nothing else but waxing poetic about the object of your desire. cabaletta optional but strongly recommended.
9. I’m Evil And Here’s My Nefarious Plan: usually sung by a baritone or bass, the operatic equivalent of the Disney villain song. Supervillain laugh at the end is a nice bonus.
10. I’m Dying, Time For My Most Technically Difficult Aria: the closer to death you are, the better your singing! Tuberculosis? No problem. Bleeding out? +15 to legato. Poison? Take as long as you like.
11. The Ensemble Where Everyone Stops To Sing About Their Feelings: characters who would normally instantly aggro at each other will stand 2 steps away and sing together in perfect harmony.
12. The Official Love Duet: usually less passionate than the aforementioned tenor/baritone duets.
13. Filler Chorus: the main characters need to rest or change costume. let’s sing about, idk, wine? war? flip a coin
14. And Now, The Weather: orchestral interlude
15. Disastrous Party: any dinner party, ball or wedding will go horribly wrong unless it’s a comic opera, and sometimes even then.
16. Prison Scene: someone (usually the tenor) is in jail. The love interest, best friend or enemy will visit. If jailed character is scheduled for execution, they will also often have the
17. I Will Die Soon And This Kinda Sucks Aria: If lucky, their sad laments are interrupted by a friendly visitor. If not, the villain will come in and gloat or they are led off to be executed.
18. Fatherly Concern: Being the father of a reckless tenor or soprano is not easy. Your kid insists on ruining their life with a love affair, often wants to die, and doesn’t listen to you.
19. Soprano/Mezzo Catfight: usually over some tenor who isn’t worth it. they should kiss instead
20. Soprano/Mezzo Kissing: ah, pre-Romantic or Rossini. Much better.
21. Showoff Aria: all about the extremes - highs, lows, fast tempo, coloraturas, extreme sustained notes. Often half of these are singer inserts but now You Have To Do Them Or You Suck.
