Opera characters are people, too! Character analysis is essential in bringing characters to life on stage. It is what allows an actor to bring authenticity to a role allowing an audience to fully believe in the character on stage. Every person, including operatic characters, falls into one of the 16 Myers-Briggs personality types. Establishing which personality traits and which Myers-Briggs personality type your character falls into can break down what actions or reactions you can use on stage to create a detailed personality. The Myers-Briggs Theory is used as a reference point to unique personalities; these are broken down into four categories based on your preferences:

• People & Things = Extraversion (E) or Ideas & Information/Introversion (I)
• Facts & Reality = Sensing (S) or Possibilities & Potential/Intuition (N)
• Logic & Truth = Thinking (T) or Values & Relationships/Feeling (F)
• Lifestyle = Well Structured/Judgment (J) or Goes With the Flow/Perception (P)

The preferences you choose for your character determine which personality type your character falls into. All four categories are used and referred to with the letter listed in parentheses:

• E & I refer to the direction of energy and how you deal with people and the outer world.
• S & N are about the information and things you process. What you clearly see versus ideas and the unknown.
• T & F is your style of decision making. Do you make decisions using logic and analysis or using your values and priorities?
• J & P refers to the lifestyle you wish to adopt. A planned and structured lifestyle or a flexible one.

The Myers-Briggs system can help us as actors make more informed choices about our characters. It can bring detail to how they deal with their life in the story. Here is an introduction to each Myers-Briggs type and a coordinating opera character.

ISTJ

• Quiet
• Thinks things through thoroughly
• Dependable
• Practical, matter-of-fact, realistic, responsible
• Goal oriented and uses logic to work towards them

ISTJ Opera Character: Mimi from La bohème 

Mimi is quiet, sets goals, and does her best to inch her way towards those goals. She is a dependable friend and lover, and lets her friends support her in her time of need. Although, her relationship with Rodolfo has its ups and downs, she does what she believes is right when it comes to discussing her health. 

ISFJ

• Quiet
• Friendly
• Committed and dependable- especially with work
• Painstakingly detail-oriented
• Prefers order and harmony in the workplace

ISFJ Opera Character: Composer from Ariadne auf Naxos

The Composer is extremely passionate about his work. If it were up to him, his opera would be organized down to every last detail!

INFJ

• Seeks the deeper meaning/connection between ideas, relationships, and possessions
• Empathetic
• Understanding of others' emotions and motivations
• Wants to serve the greater good
• Organized 
• Effective at decision making

INFJ Opera Character: Candide from Candide

Candide is always looking to serve the greater good. He is a thoughtful character who does his best to understand others. The deeper meanings and connections in life are what Candide sets out to understand.

INTJ

• Motivated and goal-oriented
• Observant of patterns 
• Competent in performance
• Skeptical and independent
• Dependable when committed 

INTJ Opera Character: Fiordiligi from Così fan tutte

Fiordiligi is rock solid when it comes to what she believes is right. Although she eventually gives in, she is skeptical, independent, and does what she can to defend her honor and fidelity.

ISTP

• Tolerant and flexible
• Quiet observers
• Quick at finding solutions
• Analytical- interested in cause and effect
• Efficient and organized

ISTP Opera Character: Rosina from Il barbiere di Siviglia

Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia is one of the smartest and quickest characters in the repertoire. She uses her analytical and observational skills to find ways to unite herself with her beloved Lindoro.

ISFP

• Loyal and committed friends
• Avoids disagreements and conflict- keeps differentiating opinions to themselves 
• Quiet, sensitive, and kind
• Lives in the moment
• Strong value of personal time and space

ISFP Opera Character: Tatiana from Eugene Onegin

Tatiana goes through a huge character arc throughout Eugene Onegin. She keeps mostly to herself and would prefer to express her emotions alone in her room. 

INFP

• Idealists
• Curious
• Often catalysts for new ideas
• Adaptable and flexible, unless personal values are in question

INFP Opera Character: Gilda from Rigoletto

Gilda has been hidden from the world which gives her this extreme sense of curiosity. Although her social time is next to none, she has new and creative ideas on how to preserve her love for the duke.

INTP

• Seeks logical explanations 
• Prefers ideas over social interaction
• Flexible
• Quiet and contained
• Problem solvers if invested in the situation
• Skeptical, critical, and analytical

INTP Opera Character: Tamino from Die Zauberflöte

Tamino is a conflicted character who wishes to understand the logic behind the situations he is in. His logic and problem solving ultimately lead him to finding his love, Pamina.

ESTP

• Flexible and tolerant
• Wants immediate results 
• Bored by theories and concepts
• Uses active energy to find quick solutions to problems
• Prefers a lavish lifestyle
• Enjoys spending time with others
• Lives in the moment

ESTP Opera Character: Musetta from La bohème

Musetta enjoys a lavish lifestyle and lives in the moment. When push comes to shove, she quickly takes action to help a friend in need. 

ESFP

• Outgoing and friendly
• Lovers of life
• Exuberant 
• Embraces people and things
• Flexible and spontaneous
• Learns best with others
• Adapts to new people and environments

ESFP Opera Character: Cunegonde from Candide

Cunegonde goes on an extensive journey throughout the opera. She is able to adapt to her new surroundings while keeping everything light and fun!

ENFP

• Enthusiastic and imaginative
• Lives life to the fullest
• Always ready to appreciate and support others
• Social butterflies
• Relies on natural improvisational skills and verbal fluency

ENFP Opera Character: Figaro from Il barbiere di Siviglia

Figaro was ready to help Count Almaviva the moment he realized the Count needed assistance. Most of his schemes and plots required the use of his quick and witty improvisational skills.

ENTP

• Quick, ingenious, and outspoken
• Resourceful problem solvers- uses analysis and strategy to get what they want
• Good at reading others
• Bored by routine
• Often strays from the norm
• Floats from one interest to another

ENTP Opera Character: Don Giovanni from Don Giovanni

When it comes to Don Giovanni, his interests lie mostly in women. He likes to float from one to the next and and never staying with one woman for too long. Don Giovanni is constantly getting himself out of trouble using his ability to read others and does whatever he needs to do to get what he wants.

ESTJ

• Practical and realistic
• Decisive and quick to problem solve
• Organized and efficient
• Often forceful to implement their plans
• Clear standards which they expect others to adhere to

ESTJ Opera Character: Count Almaviva from Le nozze di Figaro

The Count in Le nozze di Figaro does not hold back when it comes to making his intentions clear. He expects his wishes and commands to be met immediately and uses his status to get what he wants.

ESFJ

• Warm-hearted
• Conscientious
• Strives for a harmonious environment
• Team-players
• Produces accurate and precise work
• Observant of others' needs
• Desires appreciation for themselves and their contributions

ESFJ Opera Character: Juliette from Roméo et Juliette

Juliette just wishes everyone would stop fighting and get along so she can be with Romeo. She is good natured and appreciates what others do for her, but ultimately wants respect and appreciation for what she is going through.

ENFJ

• Warm and empathetic
• Notices the emotions, needs, and motivations of others
• Looks for the potential in everyone and wants to help them realize it
• Social and often the leader/organizer of the group
• Responds well to both praise and criticism

ENFJ Opera Character: Zerbinetta from Ariadne auf Naxos

Zerbinetta is the leader of the comedians! Although she knows what she wants in the opera, she can't help but notice The Composer and try and help him.

ENTJ

• Natural leaders
• Frank and decisive
• Likes implementing organizational systems
• Strives to achieve long-term plans and goals
• Well-informed
• Well-read
• Enjoys learning and sharing knowledge

ENTJ Opera Character: Susanna from Le nozze di Figaro

Leading the charge, Susanna uses her decisive and organizational abilities to put her plans into motion. She is well aware of what is happening in the Almaviva household, and uses that to her advantage.

We can use the Myers-Briggs Theory and tools to help us better understand our own psychology and the psychology of the characters we are portraying. Of course, as performers, we have choices when it comes to how we portray a character. The story you create for your character may be different from another portrayal which can result in a different personality type. A character will relate to each individual differently. This is what makes creating and performing a fulfilling and unique experience. Myers-Briggs can be an essential tool in creating and establishing who your character is, how they feel, and what they do on stage. It can help us as performers to bring an authentic character to life.