Introduction to Opera
Opera is paradoxically the most grandiose and human of genres: a combination of dramaturgy, singing, ballet, and orchestra — and a fascinating chronicle of social history.
We will explore opera’s major styles and composers beginning with its Italianate origins in the baroque masterpieces of Monteverdi and Handel followed by the pathos of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro and his odd mix of fantasy and profundity in The Magic Flute. Next, we will consider Beethoven’s socially conscious Fidelio; Bellini and Donizetti’s bel canto works, Norma and Lucia; Verdi’s dramatic stalwarts, Macbeth, Rigoletto, and Falstaff; the verismo style of Puccini’s Tosca; and, finally, a sample of influential twentieth-century masterpieces. We will savor recordings by opera’s great singers such as Callas, Bjoerling, Sills, Domingo, Hampson, and Borodina, as well as view an opera production on DVD. Please note: music literacy is not required.
Week 1
The operatic voice
Problems of range and style in the vocal roles
Examples (DVD) of various characteristic roles in performance
Week 2
Conclusion of examination of vocal types
A history of Opera from Monteverdi, Purcell and Handel until Mozart.
Beginning of discussion of Mozart’s Oeuvre
Week 3
Conclusion of examination of Mozart
Special emphasis on Le Nozze di Figaro and The Magic Flute
Week 4
The bel canto style
Bellini, Donizetti and Rossini
Operas examined: Norma, Lucia di Lammermoor, The Barber of Seville
Week 5
Verdi and his evolution
The political and aesthetic transformation of opera
Operas examined: Macbeth, Rigoletto, Otello, Falstaff
Week 6
Opera in France and Germany
Beethoven’s Fidelio
Wagner’s Tannhauser and Tristan und Isolde
Massenet’s Thais
Week 7
Wagner’s Der Ring Des Nibelungen
Puccini’s role in late romantic opera
Week 8
Opera in the 20th Century
Continuity and disruption of operatic tradition
Janacek, Cunning Little Vixen
Strauss, Elektra
Berg’s Wozzeck
Recommended Reading:
Julian Budden: Puccini (Master Musicians Series)
Peter Conrad: A Song of Love and Death
Robert Donnington: Opera and Its Symbols
Robert Gutman: Wagner, the Man and His Music
Lord Hartwood, ed.: Kobbes Complete Opera Book
Spike Hughes: Famous Mozart Operas
Herbert Lindenberger: Opera: The Extravagant Art
Fred Plotkin: Opera 101
Joseph Wechsberg. Verdi
Piero Weiss, ed. Opera: A History in Documents
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