Get more out of opera! Explore its development through history, where it came from and how it developed through experimentation and trial and error. From the late Renaissance revival of Ancient Greek theatre, to the beauty and drama of Puccini and beyond, we delve into the great moments in opera history, listening to the wonderful music of such composers as Mozart, Wagner, Verdi and Puccini. For beginners and experienced listeners alike.
- The birth of opera - The camerata and ideas from Ancient Greek theatre; Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo; Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas; Late Baroque opera; The castrati; Handel’s Julius Caesar
- Opera in the Classical period - The reforms of Gluck; Mozart’s operas; The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, The Magic Flute; Bel canto opera; Rossini, Bellini and Donizetti; Bellini’s I Puritani; Rossini: The Barber of Seville
- Opera in the Romantic period - Opera in Italy and France; Verdi’s operas; Rigoletto, La Traviata, Aida; Opera in Germany and Russia; Wagner’s innovations; The Flying Dutchman; The Ring Cycle
- Opera in the Impressionist period - Opera and realism: Verismo; The Operas of Puccini; Madama Butterfly, La Boheme, Tosca, Turandot
- Twentieth century experiments and opera - Britten: Peter Grimes; Gershwin: Porgy and Bess; Adams: Nixon in China
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- List some great composers of opera
- List some operas and name the musical period they come from
- Describe some of the features of the development of opera
