As the 19th century moved into the 20th, World War I loomed and life was changing. The Romantic era was flourishing and gone, impressionist music was well advanced, but emerging from the rubble of the Romantic era was the Verismo movement! Verismo was a movement or new school of thought embodied in the operas of composers like Pietro Mascagni, Ruggero Leoncavallo, Umberto Giordani, Giacomo Puccini. Verismo is practically synonymous with “realism”. This was an attempt by the composers to inject into opera the pains and experiences of real life which had so easily seeped into drama, poetry and the spoken arts, but which seemed to fail when it came to opera. In 1827 this opera was born. which we know and recognize as the Romantic era. The Verismo movement grabbed the failed feathers of the Romantic era and glided along, but slowly moved away and headed in a different direction. Operas were written, composed and performed throughout Europe, starting with Italy, Germany and France. Verdi, Wagner, Rossini and Bizet were leading composers in the field of opera. Bizet’s “Carmen” and Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figarro” are probably the most recognized operas of all time. The popular resonant excerpt “Figaro, Figaro, FiiiiggaaarooOOoOoO” is practically a household term. (at least that's the case in my house) The opera of this era was well produced and really lacked nothing. Verismo is part of the opera family, but it explores a distinct facet of emotion that has never been seen before in Romantic period opera. The opera needed no improvement, but the Verismo movement sought to increase the impact and power felt through the sung drama. Verismo longed to connect with the audience on a real level, providing storylines...... middle of paper...... he's finally coming back. He is taunted by evil spirits and Anna's spirit. They are relentless in their pursuit of his perpetual suffering. Like most Verismo endings, this one is not a happy one. This two-act opera by Puccini also captures the heart of Verismo in its quest for true love and the unmistakable misery experienced by the protagonist. This opera embodies the character of Verismo! Verismo shed new light on opera and the arts in general as they moved into the 20th century. World War I would soon follow, and hardship would befall the world as the Great Depression dawned. The idea that opera and sung drama should speak to the common man broke a barrier that had long disappeared throughout the Romantic period. The relevant and applicable personality of the Verismo movement proved profitable for the industry as it entered the 20th century..