Going to the Opera

What is Opera? Opera was invented in the late Renaissance (1598) in Florence, Italy as a new way of combining music & stage drama. Its composers invented the solo recitative style which allowed sung words to be understood more clearly. By combining orchestra & singing with acting, operas are able to more strongly express the emotions of a story as it is played out on the stage. Operas have also often been considered entertainment for the rich & cultured, with many attempts to change that.

What is Opera? Operas are also funded by rich donors, companies, & cities. (San Francisco Opera) Operas are also very formal & require polite concert etiquette like symphonies. Operas combine: Solo & small group singing Choir singing Symphony orchestra Acting, costumes, make-up, sets, lights, & special effects. Ballet dancing (sometimes) Operas usually don’t have any spoken lines.

What is Opera? Operas have much more virtuosic singing than musicals or popular music. The music is ultimately more important than the acting or even the storyline. Types of songs: Overture or interlude (orchestra – sets mood) Chorus (stage chorus & orch. – shows town setting or expresses group feelings) Recitative (soloist(s) speak-singing & orch. – reveals plot events) Aria (soloist singing & orch. – reveals personal feelings) Ensemble (two or more soloists singing & orch. – reveals feelings in soloists.

Tips for Enjoying Opera Learn about the opera & get familiar with some of its songs before you go – Unlike movies, you appreciate operas better if you know the songs and storyline ahead of time. Read the story in the program & watch the supertitles – Opera plots can be hard to follow & they are usually in a foreign language. Suspension of Disbelief (Emotion > Logic) – Opera was never intended to be totally realistic. It uses artistic devices (sets, songs, dancing, etc.) to convey emotions connected to a story. Focus on the expression in the music – Remember, the music is more important than even the story! Focus on the virtuosic & expressive singing more than the acting.

Mozart’s The Magic Flute Written in 1791 (2 months before Mozart’s death) in Vienna, Austria. Part fairytale, part freemason allegory. Plot: A young prince Tamino is rescued from a dragon and sent on a quest to rescue Pamina, the daughter of the Queen of the Night. He is helped by a magic flute & a bird-man. He soon discovers that her captor, the highpriest Sarastro, is really good & the queen is evil. He decides to join Sarastro’s community & marry Pamina. After going through the initiation trials, Tamino and Pamina are accepted and married.