DOCSLIB.ORG

On Opera (On Opera) Self-Referential Negotiations of a Difficult Genre

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
On Opera (On Opera) Self-Referential Negotiations of a Difficult Genre Opera on Opera (on Opera) Self-Referential Negotiations of a Difficult Genre Frieder von Ammon, Munich This paper focuses on metaopera as a distinctive dramatic genre and examines it from both a systematic and a historical perspective. It is demonstrated that, due to its specific structural complexity, metaopera is located at the very centre of the wide field of ‘Self-Reference in Literature and Music’. It is through music that in metaopera the potential for dramatic meta-communication is considerably higher than in purely verbal drama. Furthermore, metaopera is a subject worthy of close study also for the cultural historian as, from its very beginnings, opera has contin- uously been a self-reflexive genre. Thus operas, as metaoperas, frequently tell the story of the cultural development of opera itself. Such metareferential conditions are demonstrated in this paper by a close analysis of Hofmannsthal and Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos, which, in the light of earlier metaoperas, is interpreted as an example of meta-metaopera representing operatic metareferentiality to the highest degree. The 7th of February, 1786, is an important date in the history of self- reference in literature and music. In honour of the Low Countries’ general governor, Duke August of Sachsen-Teschen, and his wife, the German emperor, Joseph II, had arranged a special event for this day. It took place in the orangery of Castle Schönbrunn in Vienna, for that was the only room with an appropriate heating system, and it bore the beautiful title ‘Frühlingsfest an einem Wintertag’ (‘Spring Festival on a Winter’s Day’). One is, however, tempted to speak of a ‘Festival of Self-Reference’ instead. The Viennese court chronicle describes the event as follows: Nach geendigter Tafel, und Mittlerweile, als Seine Majestät mit den sämmtlichen Gästen Sich zu einem der Seitwärts am Ende des Orangerie Hauses errichteten Theater begaben, wurde die ganze Tafel aufgehoben, und aus dem Hause hinweg- gebracht, und sogleich die ganze Länge des Parterre beederseits herrlich be- leuchtet, worauf Seine Majestät mit den Gästen zu dem an dem Anderen Ende dieses Orangerie Hauses errichteten Theater sich erhuben, alwo ein teutsches Schauspiel mit untermengten Arien aufgeführet wurde. 66 Frieder von Ammon Nach dessen Ende begab sich die ganze Gesellschaft hinab zu dem an dem anderen Ende angebrachten Theater, alwo sofort ein Italienisches Singspiel aufge- führet wurde. (Qtd. Braunbehrens 1989: 151)1 The ‘German play with added arias’ and the ‘Italian Singspiel’ were Der Schauspieldirektor (The Impresario), a comedy by the then well- known Viennese playwright and librettist Johann Gottlieb Stephanie the Younger, for which Mozart had composed an ouverture, two arias, a trio, and a vaudeville; and Prima la musica, poi le parole (First the Music, Then the Words), an opera buffa, the libretto of which had been written by the then also famous poet and librettist Giambattista Casti, with the music composed by Salieri. Both works address the same issue: the contemporary dramatical and theatrical practice and its deplorable state of affairs, and in both cases the subject is treated satir- ically. Whereas Der Schauspieldirektor focuses mainly on players, plays, and related problems, Prima la musica is concerned with opera and its specific issues, especially the rivalry between librettist and composer, seria- and buffa-singers, and the disastrous influence of noble patronage on opera: the cause of the conflict is a duke, who demands a new opera to be written in only four days, and his mistress, a seria-singer, to partake in its performance; another aristocrat wants his mistress, a buffa-singer, to take part in the performance, too. Therefore, both works are self-referential, or more specifically, meta- dramatical and metatheatrical works, and thus the ‘Festival of Self- Reference’ should better be called a ‘Festival of Metadrama and Meta- theatre’. Joseph II, who is known for his great interest in dramatic and theatrical affairs, had himself chosen this subject. Obviously he wanted to present in a sophisticated way not only ‘his’ two renowned composers, Mozart and Salieri – as well as the librettists with whom they had had their greatest successes so far (in Mozart and Stephanie’s case, Die Entführung aus dem Serail, and in Casti and Salieri’s case, La Grotta di Trifonio) – but also the two ensembles of his court: ‘die National-Hof-Schauspieler’ (the national court players) and ‘die 1 ‘After the end of the banquet, and while His Majesty and all his guests betook themselves to one of the two theatres erected on either end of the orangery, the meal was officially ended, and the dishes were removed, and immediately the entire length of the parterre was marvellously illuminated on both sides, whereupon His Majesty rose with the guests, and went to the theatre which had been built at the other side of the orangery, where a German play with added arias was performed. After this play was over, the entire party betook themselves down to the theatre at the other end of the orangery, where forthwith an Italian Singspiel was performed.’ [My translation] .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Rise of the Tenor Voice in the Late Eighteenth Century: Mozart’S Opera and Concert Arias Joshua M
    University of Connecticut OpenCommons@UConn Doctoral Dissertations University of Connecticut Graduate School 10-3-2014 The Rise of the Tenor Voice in the Late Eighteenth Century: Mozart’s Opera and Concert Arias Joshua M. May University of Connecticut - Storrs, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://opencommons.uconn.edu/dissertations Recommended Citation May, Joshua M., "The Rise of the Tenor Voice in the Late Eighteenth Century: Mozart’s Opera and Concert Arias" (2014). Doctoral Dissertations. 580. https://opencommons.uconn.edu/dissertations/580 ABSTRACT The Rise of the Tenor Voice in the Late Eighteenth Century: Mozart’s Opera and Concert Arias Joshua Michael May University of Connecticut, 2014 W. A. Mozart’s opera and concert arias for tenor are among the first music written specifically for this voice type as it is understood today, and they form an essential pillar of the pedagogy and repertoire for the modern tenor voice. Yet while the opera arias have received a great deal of attention from scholars of the vocal literature, the concert arias have been comparatively overlooked; they are neglected also in relation to their counterparts for soprano, about which a great deal has been written. There has been some pedagogical discussion of the tenor concert arias in relation to the correction of vocal faults, but otherwise they have received little scrutiny. This is surprising, not least because in most cases Mozart’s concert arias were composed for singers with whom he also worked in the opera house, and Mozart always paid close attention to the particular capabilities of the musicians for whom he wrote: these arias offer us unusually intimate insights into how a first-rank composer explored and shaped the potential of the newly-emerging voice type of the modern tenor voice.
    [Show full text]
  • OPERA GLOSSARY – the CULTURE CONCEPT CIRCLE Aficionado - a Devoted Fan Or Enthusiast
    OPERA GLOSSARY – THE CULTURE CONCEPT CIRCLE aficionado - A devoted fan or enthusiast. apron - The front part of the stage between the curtain and the orchestra pit. aria - Italian word for "air." a song for solo voice with instrumental accompaniment. baritone - The medium male voice. lies between the low bass voice and the higher tenor voice. baroque - The period of music from the early to mid 1600's to the mid 1700's. Baroque operas are characterized by emotional, highly stylized and flowery presentations. bass - The lowest of the male voices. bass-baritone - A male voice which combines the quality of the baritone with the depth of the bass, avoiding the extremes of either range. basso profundo - The most serious bass voice. bel canto - Italian for "beautiful singing." In a bel canto style opera, the beauty of singing is more important than the plot or the words. bravo! - Bravo is the Italian word for expressing appreciation to a male performer. brava! - Bravo is the Italian word for expressing appreciation to a female performer bravi! - Bravo is the Italian word for expressing appreciation to two or more performers. cadenza - Near the end of an aria, a series of difficult, fast high notes that allow the singer to demonstrate vocal ability. classical - The period in music from roughly the mid 1700's to the early 1800's. coloratura soprano - A very high pitched soprano. also the description of singing which pertains to great feats of agility - fast singing, high singing, trills, and embellishments. commedia dell'arte - A style of dramatic presentation popular in Italy from the 16th century on; the commedia characters were highly stylized and the plots frequently revolved around disguises, mistaken identities and misunderstandings.
    [Show full text]
  • WEBER PIANOS. Perßolesi-S Season
    ' ity NEW-YORK DAILY TRIBUNR SUNDAY. MAT », llKll. MUSICAL NOTES. MME. SEMBRICH-THE BACH rEBTTVAIr- MEXDELSSOHN- and THE "ST. mat- Special S^le THEW PASSION*"— ORCHES- ., TltAB IN THE UNITED STATES- OF ANNOUNCEMENTS. Mmc fiemhrlch. completely restored to health. Is GRAND AND UPRIGHT <lnplne at th? Royal Opera In Berlin. The sea- eon, an Italian MM like that of last fall, began on M.'y 11 with "Don l'asquale," and is to last four weeks. The list of operas contains "Don Pas- fjunle." "II P.arbiere." "L'Ellsir d'Amore." "Tra- vfatn." "Rigoletto." "Faust." "I Pagllacci" and rergolesi 1* l.i Serva Padrona." The revival of masterpiece is an Interesting Incident WEBER PIANOS. Perßolesi-s season. Thl« little work It In Mm.-. ErmbricVs bouf- was that precipitated the famous "guerre dcs struggle be- fons" In Paris which preceded the It also ushered by of the tween the Oluckistr and Plcdnlsts. The instruments used the Artists Maurice in the operatic form called opera buffa, works of scene, during which class had. till it appeared on the been Grau Opera Company the past season (among used Pimply as intermezzi. "La Serva Pardrona" tells of th» schemes and devices of an arch little the finest samples of our product and in all rlmmbermald named Serpina to win the hand of her master. Pandolfo. The valet. Ecapin. helps the respects practically equal to new), will be sold minx In her plan by disguising himself as a cap- to tain and making: such violent love to her as this week and next at pique the old man's Jealousy and brim? him to the popping point.
    [Show full text]
  • Mozart's Operas, Musical Plays & Dramatic Cantatas
    Mozart’s Operas, Musical Plays & Dramatic Cantatas Die Schuldigkeit des ersten Gebotes (The Obligation of the First and Foremost Commandment) Premiere: March 12, 1767, Archbishop’s Palace, Salzburg Apollo et Hyacinthus (Apollo and Hyacinth) Premiere: May 13, 1767, Great Hall, University of Salzburg Bastien und Bastienne (Bastien and Bastienne) Unconfirmed premiere: Oct. 1768, Vienna (in garden of Dr Franz Mesmer) First confirmed performance: Oct. 2, 1890, Architektenhaus, Berlin La finta semplice (The Feigned Simpleton) Premiere: May 1, 1769, Archbishop’s Palace, Salzburg Mitridate, rè di Ponto (Mithridates, King of Pontus) Premiere: Dec. 26, 1770, Teatro Regio Ducal, Milan Ascanio in Alba (Ascanius in Alba) Premiere: Oct. 17, 1771, Teatro Regio Ducal, Milan Il sogno di Scipione (Scipio's Dream) Premiere: May 1, 1772, Archbishop’s Residence, Salzburg Lucio Silla (Lucius Sillus) Premiere: Dec. 26, 1772, Teatro Regio Ducal, Milan La finta giardiniera (The Pretend Garden-Maid) Premiere: Jan. 13, 1775, Redoutensaal, Munich Il rè pastore (The Shepherd King) Premiere: April 23, 1775, Archbishop’s Palace, Salzburg Thamos, König in Ägypten (Thamos, King of Egypt) Premiere (with 2 choruses): Apr. 4, 1774, Kärntnertor Theatre, Vienna First complete performance: 1779-1780, Salzburg Idomeneo, rè di Creta (Idomeneo, King of Crete) Premiere: Jan. 29, 1781, Court Theatre (now Cuvilliés Theatre), Munich Die Entführung aus dem Serail (The Abduction from the Seraglio) Premiere: July 16, 1782, Burgtheater, Vienna Lo sposo deluso (The Deluded Bridegroom) Composed: 1784, but the opera was never completed *Not performed during Mozart’s lifetime Der Schauspieldirektor (The Impresario) Premiere: Feb. 7, 1786, Palace of Schönbrunn, Vienna Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) Premiere: May 1, 1786, Burgtheater, Vienna Don Giovanni (Don Juan) Premiere: Oct.
    [Show full text]
  • Der Schauspieldirektor
    DER SCHAUSPIELDIREKTOR Komödie mit Musik. Text Johann Gottlieb Stephanie Musik Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Uraufführung: 7. Februar 1786, Wien. www.operalib.eu 1 / 30 Informazioni Der Schauspieldirektor Cara lettrice, caro lettore, il sito internet www.librettidopera.it è dedicato ai libretti d©opera in lingua italiana. Non c©è un intento filologico, troppo complesso per essere trattato con le mie risorse: vi è invece un intento divulgativo, la volontà di far conoscere i vari aspetti di una parte della nostra cultura. Motivazioni per scrivere note di ringraziamento non mancano. Contributi e suggerimenti sono giunti da ogni dove, vien da dire «dagli Appennini alle Ande». Tutto questo aiuto mi ha dato e mi sta dando entusiasmo per continuare a migliorare e ampliare gli orizzonti di quest©impresa. Ringrazio quindi: chi mi ha dato consigli su grafica e impostazione del sito, chi ha svolto le operazioni di aggiornamento sul portale, tutti coloro che mettono a disposizione testi e materiali che riguardano la lirica, chi ha donato tempo, chi mi ha prestato hardware, chi mette a disposizione software di qualità a prezzi più che contenuti. Infine ringrazio la mia famiglia, per il tempo rubatole e dedicato a questa attività. I titoli vengono scelti in base a una serie di criteri: disponibilità del materiale, data della prima rappresentazione, autori di testi e musiche, importanza del testo nella storia della lirica, difficoltà di reperimento. A questo punto viene ampliata la varietà del materiale, e la sua affidabilità, tramite acquisti, ricerche in biblioteca, su internet, donazione di materiali da parte di appassionati. Il materiale raccolto viene analizzato e messo a confronto: viene eseguita una trascrizione in formato elettronico.
    [Show full text]
  • Lucio Silla Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart S T a G I O N E D I O P E R a 2 0 1 4 / 2 0 1
    6 W L u o c l i f o g a S n i l g l a A m a d e u s M o z a r t Lucio Silla Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart S t a g i o n e d i O p e r a 2 0 1 4 / 2 0 1 5 Stagione di Opera 2014 / 2015 Lucio Silla Dramma in musica in tre atti Libretto di Giovanni De Gamerra Musica di Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Nuova produzione In coproduzione con Mozartwoche Salzburg/Fondazione Mozarteum e Festival di Salisburgo EDIZIONI DEL TEATRO ALLA SCALA TEATRO ALLA SCALA PRIMA RAPPRESENTAZIONE Giovedì 26 febbraio 2015, ore 20 - Turno E REPLICHE febbraio Sabato 28 Ore 20 – Turno D marzo Martedì 3 Ore 20 – ScalAperta Giovedì 12 Ore 20 – Turno B Sabato 14 Ore 20 – Turno A Martedì 17 Ore 20 – Turno C SOMMARIO 4 Lucio Silla . Il libretto 28 Il soggetto Argument – Synopsis – Die Handlung – ࠶ࡽࡍࡌ – Сюжет Cesare Fertonani 40 L’opera in breve Cesare Fertonani 42 La musica Giancarlo Landini 45 Luci del crepuscolo Il Lucio Silla di Mozart per Milano Raffaele Mellace 79 Modernità in veste storica Marc Minkowski parla di Mozart e di Lucio Silla 85 Wolfgang A. Mozart - Lucio Silla Ronny Dietrich 104 Lucio Silla alla Scala Luca Chierici 113 Marc Minkowski 115 Marshall Pynkoski 116 Antoine Fontaine 117 Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg 118 Hervé Gary 119 Lucio Silla . I personaggi e gli interpreti 121 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Cesare Fertonani Cronologia della vita e delle opere 128 Letture Cesare Fertonani 130 Ascolti Luigi Bellingardi 133 Coro del Teatro alla Scala 134 Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala 135 Corpo di Ballo del Teatro alla Scala 136 Teatro alla Scala Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart .
    [Show full text]
  • Download Article
    International Conference on Arts, Design and Contemporary Education (ICADCE 2016) Study and Analysis on Ensemble Works’ Artistic Features in the Heydays of Mozart’s Opera Creation Yu Xiang Music and Dance Institute Qujing Normal University Qujing, Yunnan, China 655011 Abstract—Mozart thinks highly of dramatic value of opera. and connection among characters. Ensembles are employed in Ensembles, even being equated with aria and recitative by him, most of his works. In the late phase, he paid more attention to played a significant role in the heydays of his opera creation. it and it was the first time that he realized the unlimited During this period Mozart’s opera ensemble works are possibilities of ensembles. Even in some of his works, the characterized with abundant types and unique techniques of types of ensembles are richer than aria and recitative music, music creation and a lot of works are regarded as classics of particularly in Le Nozze di Figaro. When producing Don Mozart. Giovanni, he seemed to be carried away by the power of ensembles so that the arrangement of aria is slightly ill- Keywords—Mozart; opera creation; heyday; ensemble works; artistic features considered. II. THE DIVERSITIES OF ENSEMBLES IN MOZART’S OPERA I. INTRODUCTION WORKS IN THE L ATE PHASE Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (27 January, 1756 -- 5 December, 1791), an Austrian composer, is one of the From the classification of voice parts, for the description of representative composers of Viennese Classism. His musical personal characters and plot development, the forms of creation involves many areas, in which opera creation is an ensembles in Mozart’s musical creation are not restricted to important part.
    [Show full text]
  • Concerts of February 20 and 21, 2015 Notes on the Program by Ken
    Concerts of February 20 and 21, 2015 Notes on the Program by Ken Meltzer Overture to Der Schauspieldirektor (The Impresario), K. 486 (1786) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria, on January 27, 1756, and died in Vienna, Austria, on December 5, 1791. The first performance The Impresario took place at the Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna, on February 7, 1786. The Overture to Impresario is scored for two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two horns, two trumpets, timpani, and strings. Approximate performance time is five minutes. 1786 was incredibly productive for Mozart, even by his lofty standards. During that year, Mozart completed his opera buffa masterpiece, Le nozze di Figaro, the singspiel, Der Schauspieldirektor, and a revision of his earlier opera seria, Idomeneo. Mozart also composed several chamber pieces, solo vocal works, his Fourth Horn Concerto, K. 495, and three Piano Concertos—No. 23 in A Major, K. 488, No. 24 in C minor, K. 491, and No. 25 in C Major, K. 503. Der Schauspieldirektor (The Impresario), alternating spoken dialogue and sung music, tells the story of an impresario’s struggles to control the egos of two operatic divas. With its humorous depiction of operatic backstage intrigue, The Impresario is a predecessor to Richard Strauss’s Ariadne auf Naxos (see, below). While The Impresario is rarely performed as a complete work, its vibrant Overture has long enjoyed a favored place in the concert hall. Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme (Der Bürger aus Edelmann), Suite, Opus 60 (1918) Richard Strauss was born in Munich, Germany, on June 11, 1864, and died in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, on September 8, 1949.
    [Show full text]
  • Opera and Operetta. Similarities and Contrasts
    Communication by human voice OPERA AND OPERETTA. SIMILARITIES AND CONTRASTS. Florenţa Nicoleta MARINESCU1 1. Prof., Ph.D., Faculty of Arts, Ovidius University of Constanţa, Romania Corresponding author: [email protected] Abstract their knowledge through teachers and students. Lyrical theatre is an infinite resource of communication Capitalist countries set their eyes on middle- between the audience and the artists. Based on its musical eastern European teachers and masters of the and vocal primal instruments it has been reaching out to craft, offering them a possibility to practice their public of all social classes throughout history. This universal artistic language is expressed on stage through art in a new and friendly environment. various representations expanding in different genres and Subsequently the competition between academic subcategories, defined by their historic periods and ages. institutions grew, helping art form evolve and This communication is realized through the human voice; reach new heights. One thing will be ever so this wonderful and mysterious weapon of artistic creation cannot be tuned to the standards of physical playable similar in capitalist or communist regimes alike; instruments, but can surely be the vessel that brings the art is a direct expression of life and truth, like a audience an emotional and powerful experience. This form mirror resembling social dilemmas, protests and of artistic performance is full of spiritual and timeless emotion. No doubt a great contribution to cultural life to needs. Played out on a stage through conventional many civilizations of the world, its message is direct and means of the genres, one can understand the always straightforward aimed at audiences all around the struggle and history of a civilization through its globe.
    [Show full text]
  • Misconceptions of the “Comic” Genre in Opera
    DOI: 10.31722/ejmd.584420 EJMD / 2019 (14), 239-248 OPERADA BİR TÜR OLARAK “KOMİK” KAVRAMINA İLİŞKİN YANILSAMALAR Misconceptions of the “Comic” Genre in Opera * Mehmet GİRGİN ** Ebru GÜNER CANBEY ÖZ Opera tarihi içerisinde İtalya’da opera seria ve opera buffa konusal ve yapısal farklılıklar gösteren iki farklı türdür. Bu iki ana tür arasından opera buffa, “gülünçlü (komik) opera” türü olarak nitelendirilmiş, uygulama ve stil açısından farklılıklar içererek ciddi üsluba karşıt olarak gelişen ve farklı ülkelerde farklı isimlerle tanımlanan operaların bu tür içine dâhil edildiği bir üst başlık haline gelmiştir. Öte yandan Fransa’da varlığını sürdüren “opéra comique (opera komik)” kavramının betimlediği tür, adında geçen “komik” sözcüğünden kaynaklı bir kavram kargaşası yaratmaktadır. Komik kelimesinin akıllarda “güldürü” çağrıştırmasına rağmen opéra comique (opera komik) türü içerisine giren birçok operanın “güldüren” nitelikte olmaması, kavram için açıklama yapılması ihtiyacını doğurmuştur. Bu çalışma gülünçlü (komik) opera kavramının altında toplanan farklı dillerdeki tanımlamaların yarattığı kavram kargaşasına ışık tutarak, 18. yüzyıldan günümüze kadar halen en çok tercih edilen opera türü olan opéra comique (opera komik) türünün anlaşılabilmesine fayda sağlamaktadır. Anahtar Kelimeler: Opera, opera türleri, komik opera, opera buffa, opéra comique ABSTRACT In the history of opera, in Italy, opera seria and opera buffa are the two different opera genres that differ thematically and structurally. Of these two main genres, opera buffa has been described as “comic opera”, and has become a main title among the operas that are different in terms of practice and style are developed as opposed to the serious style and defined with different names in different countries are included. On the other hand, the genre defined as “opéra comique” in France creates a conceptual confusion due to the use of the word “comic”.
    [Show full text]
  • Opéra National Du Rhin • 19 Place Broglie BP 80 320 • 67008 Strasbourg
    Dossier pédagogique Opéra Saison 2018- 2019 Contact : Hervé Petit • tél + 33 (0)3 68 98 75 23 • courriel : [email protected] Opéra national du Rhin • 19 place Broglie BP 80 320 • 67008 Strasbourg Un chien, pour la plus grande joie d’une population qui n’en pouvait plus de la tyrannie exercée par ses précédents vice- rois qu’elle avait pris l’habitude de défenestrer, se retrouve à la tête d’une ville. Grace à lui et avec l’aide d’une jeune adolescente qui interprète ses grognements et aboiements, il semble qu’enfin le pouvoir s’humanise… © getty images / Uwe Krejci du rhin opéra d'europe operanationaldurhin.eu BARKOUF ou un chien au pouvoir JACQUES OFFENBACH Opéra-bouffe en trois actes, sur un livret d’Eugène Scribe et Henri Boisseaux Créé à l’Opéra Comique à Paris le 24 décembre 1860 Coproduction avec l’Oper Köln En collaboration avec Boosey & Hawkes et Jean-Christophe Keck [ NOUVELLE PRODUCTIOn ] STRASBOURG Opéra Direction musicale Jacques Lacombe ve 7 décembre 20 h Mise en scène Mariame Clément di 9 décembre 15 h ma 11 décembre 20 h Décors, costumes Julia Hansen je 13 décembre 20 h Lumières Philippe Berthomé lu 17 décembre 20 h Réécriture des dialogues Mariame Clément et Jean-Luc Vincent me 19 décembre 20 h Chorégraphie Mathieu Guilhaumon di 23 décembre 15 h Bababeck, grand vizir Rodolphe Briand MULHOUSE La Filature Le Grand-Mogol Nicolas Cavallier di 6 janvier 15 h Saëb, officier Patrick Kabongo ma 8 janvier 20 h Kaliboul, eunuque Loïc Félix Xaïloum, amoureux de Balkis Stefan Sbonnik Maïma, jeune bouquetière Pauline Texier Balkis, marchande
    [Show full text]
  • Small-Scale Opera: History and Continuing Relevance in the 21St Century
    SMALL-SCALE OPERA: HISTORY AND CONTINUING RELEVANCE IN THE 21ST CENTURY Joel B. Trisel A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate College of Bowling Green State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF MUSIC May 2015 Committee: Katherine Meizel, Advisor Christopher Scholl Kevin Bylsma ii ABSTRACT Katherine Meizel, Advisor This paper explores the history and recent rise in popularity of small-scale opera. Small- scale opera, originally referred to as chamber opera, and recently referred to as “Micro-opera”, “NANOWorks”, et cetera, has gained popularity in the past forty years due to artistic and financial reasons. The genre reflects the need for companies to find financially viable ways to continue to produce and perform classical music in a poor economic climate. The short length and relatively simple plots of the works in this genre also reflect the shift in media consumption on a broad level in the United States. While the genre is growing in popularity today, it has ties to historical practices, including some of the first documented operas written in the Baroque period. This paper provides a historical account of iterations of small-scale opera and culminates in interviews with professionals working in the field today. Through my research, I conclude that the genre is likely to succeed in the 21st century. This is due to the financial viability small-scale opera affords to both those producing and attending these works. Small-scale opera provides composers with a flexible medium in which they can explore writing sung drama that is substantially more likely to be produced than full-length works.
    [Show full text]