Opera Essay

OPERA AND DRAMA: DIFFERING VIEWS Opera and drama are two closely linked disciplines in the world of performing arts; although many view these as individual aspects which should be combined to create a greater result, others seemingly view opera as drama although it would be seen as illogical to view drama as opera. The mere fact opera has a narrative, although told through music and libretto, combines the two. Michael Tippett’s opera, The Midsummer Marriage, contains influences from other

“The Phantom of the Opera: Behind the Mask” When many people think of The Phantom of the Opera, they think of the popular Broadway musical written by Andrew Lloyd Webber. However, Webber had another vision in mind, a film adaptation of his beloved musical that he announced back in 1989. In 2004 that dream became a reality when it was released for the world to enjoy. Still, some lovers of the live performance argue that the film doesn’t have the same feel or emotion that one would get from the play

"An opera begins long before the curtain goes up and ends long after it has come down. It starts in my imagination, it becomes my life, and it stays part of my life long after I've left the opera house.” These words spoken by Maria Callas shows how much of an impact opera had on society. She was one of the most influential and renowned American opera singers in the twentieth century. Opera originated from Italy and expanded into many countries like France and England. Musical theater, especially

Comparison of the Italian Opera, Oratorio, and Cantata Music during the Baroque period was diverse and composers began to rebel against the styles that were popular during the Renaissance. In the Baroque era music was driven by the text and the emotions behind it. Vocal and sacred music developed greatly during the Baroque period. During the mid-17th century the Italian phenomenon opera dominated most of the theatres in Europe. Sacred music was deeply influenced by the opera, contributing to the development

The Phantom of the Opera directed by Joel Schumacher is the 2004 adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1986 musical of the same name. The Phantom of the Opera stars Gerard Butler as the Phantom, Emmy Rossum as Christine Daaé, and Patrick Wilson as Raoul, the Vicomte de Chagny, who are embroiled in a love triangle. The film was met with generally mixed and negative reviews: Schumacher’s use of mise-en-scène, cinematography and editing, as well as symbolism contributes to the production of The Phantom

of the English National Opera STRENGTHS The product is definite. Although there are many different titles of shows and ways of performing Opera, on the whole the customer knows, when attending a performance, what to expect. Accessibility is improving. Through recent more widespread distribution of Videos/DVDs and CDs – in well known music stores. Also through Touring and Open-air Opera and to some extent educational workshops and talks, the English National Opera (ENO) has improved accessibility

Opera is a timeless music that transcends the generations. I would like to go out on a limb, and suggest that the average young person does not really give much thought to opera. However, it is a music that will last much longer than the popular tunes that they listen to on their music player today. The great thing about going to the opera is the opportunity to experience classical music at its best. Actually, there is something very soothing and seductive about pure classical music set to a stage

were already important musical alternatives to opera by the mid-seventeenth century, but differed in nearly every respect from the genres of the same names found in the early eighteenth century. As genres late in the period, they both bespoke the traditions from which they originally sprang and permitted new recombination of the musical elements of these same traditions. The oratorio and cantata of the eighteenth century were both linked, unlike opera, to religious themes. Although intended for very

Like the previous eras, Opera continued to be one of the most important music genre is the 19th century, especially in Italy, German and France. Opera served as a form of entertainment for the people of higher social class. Opera music was also popular among the people of other social classes due to the availability of transcribed opera music for them to enjoy in salons or homes of the middle class. This genre was extensively explored and developed by the Italians and Germans. This paper will discuss

The History of Italian Opera Introduction There are many forms of art such as, paintings, sculptures, buildings, etc. Opera is another form of art though it may not seem like art to many people. “Few forms of art… are as overtly involved as opera in the social and historical contexts within which they are created and consumed” (Lindenberger 235). Italian opera which obviously formed in Italy is a form of art in the Italian language. It was introduced in Italy in the 1600s. Ironically many