Seasonal Recommendations
Romantic Arias
Jan
Opera is full of swoon-worthy melodies and unforgettable romantic moments. To celebrate Valentine’s Day, we’ve gathered some of the most romantic opera arias to add to your repertoire and help set the mood for the month of love.
(Titles marked with an * are playable on lever harp.)
Lever Harp Solos
Merynda Adams
Sylvia Woods
Laurie Peterson
Ailie Robertson
*Doretta’s Dream
arr. Merynda Adams
You’ll see Puccini on this list quite a bit—he was a master of the romantic aria, and this piece is no exception. “Doretta’s Dream” (“Chi il bel sogno di Doretta”) from La Rondine shines in Merynda Adams’ arrangement, which is accessible for 22-string harps and beyond, yet still delivers a wonderfully full sound.
*Flower Duet
arr. Sylvia Woods
Okay, not exactly an aria, but the “Flower Duet” from Leo Delibes’s 1883 opera Lakmé beautifully sets the stage for the opera’s central romance between Lakmé and a British officer. Sylvia Woods offers both lever harp and pedal harp versions.
*Song to the Moon
arr. Laurie Peterson
“Song to the Moon,” from Antonín Dvořák’s opera Rusalka, is a serene and beautiful aria. Laurie Peterson offers both lever harp and pedal harp versions.
*O mio babbino caro
arr. Ailie Robertson
No opera list is complete without this Puccini masterpiece. Ailie Robertson’s arrangement makes this gorgeous aria accessible for lever harpists, and it remains one of the most romantic arias ever written. For a pedal harp version, see Meinir Heulyn’s arrangement.
Pedal Harp Solos
Marguerite Lynn Williams
Angela Klöhn
Bill Van Patten
Valerie Saint Martin
Una furtiva lagrima
arr. Marguerite Lynn Williams
From Gaetano Donizetti’s Italian opera L’elisir d’amore, this aria is set in 6/8 and features a gentle rocking motion in the melody. Arranged by Marguerite Lynn Williams, it shares a similar style to “O mio babbino caro,” but with a bit more ruggedness.
Nessun dorma
arr. Bill Van Patten
From Puccini’s opera Turandot, Bill Van Patten has expertly arranged this iconic tenor aria. The arrangement fits beautifully into the hands, explores the full range of the harp, and offers many opportunities for expressive playing.
Lascia Ch’io Pianga
arr. Valerie Saint Martin
This wasn’t an aria I was previously familiar with, but I was immediately drawn in by Valerie Saint Martin’s recording of the arrangement. Written by George Frideric Handel, this beautiful aria comes from his 1711 opera Rinaldo. Gently melancholic and stately in character, it features rich, blocked chords and offers a refreshing contrast to the other pieces on this list.
Quando m’en vo’
arr. Angela Klöhn
We’re closing out the list with yet another gorgeous aria by Puccini, also known as “Musetta’s Waltz,” from the opera La Bohème. Angela Klöhn’s arrangement makes it a perfect choice for romantic gig settings, weddings, and beyond with countless opportunities to shape the melody through rubato, tempo, and dynamic expression. Memorable melodic lines weave throughout the piece, making it a joy to play and to hear.
