Holt H.S. General Music Section A. Intro to Opera Chapter 14 from Opera for Dummies The Ten Most Common Misconceptions about Opera Day One With Mr. Lange

1. Opera is for Snobs If you delve deeply enough into any art you’ll meet a few people who consider themselves superior because they know more. If you delve deeply enough into any art you’ll meet a few people who consider themselves superior because they know more. But ironically, the great composers originally wrote their shows as entertainment for the masses much like movies today. But ironically, the great composers originally wrote their shows as entertainment for the masses much like movies today. So saying opera is for snobs is like saying good movies are only for film buffs. So saying opera is for snobs is like saying good movies are only for film buffs.

2. Opera singers are fat ladies who wear helmets with horns The stereotype of the fat opera singer is dead. The stereotype of the fat opera singer is dead. It started dying actually the day opera started being shown on TV. It started dying actually the day opera started being shown on TV. The era of girth is over! The era of girth is over!

Famous roly-poly singer Renata Scotto saw herself in La Boheme, was stunned, and promptly lost 40 pounds. Famous roly-poly singer Renata Scotto saw herself in La Boheme, was stunned, and promptly lost 40 pounds. TV has changed the the rules of hiring opera singers. TV has changed the the rules of hiring opera singers. In fact, there are only five internationally famous opera stars of note who qualify as unusually large – Jane Eaglen, Sharon Sweet, Alessandra Marc, Ben Heppner, and Luciano Pavarotti. In fact, there are only five internationally famous opera stars of note who qualify as unusually large – Jane Eaglen, Sharon Sweet, Alessandra Marc, Ben Heppner, and Luciano Pavarotti. Their talents make them worth the weight. Their talents make them worth the weight.

The Horned Helmet They appear prominently in Wagner’s Ring cycle, Die Walkure, to be exact. They appear prominently in Wagner’s Ring cycle, Die Walkure, to be exact. The Valkyries are warrior goddesses whose job is to pick up fallen warrior from their earthly battlefields and bring them back to Valhalla or Viking heaven. The Valkyries are warrior goddesses whose job is to pick up fallen warrior from their earthly battlefields and bring them back to Valhalla or Viking heaven. The song we are hearing is the Ride of the Valkyries. Recognize it? The song we are hearing is the Ride of the Valkyries. Recognize it?

3. Operas are long Here’s another Wagner-induced oversimplification. Here’s another Wagner-induced oversimplification. True, several of Wagner’s operas last a full evening- four or even five hours, counting the intermissions. True, several of Wagner’s operas last a full evening- four or even five hours, counting the intermissions. But, tons of operas get you in and out in under three hours. But, tons of operas get you in and out in under three hours. That’s no more than a long movie. That’s no more than a long movie.

4. Opera characters need at least ten minutes to die First, Most characters sing an aria before they die. First, Most characters sing an aria before they die. Aria– a special kind of song that in which the character expresses their feelings. Aria– a special kind of song that in which the character expresses their feelings. An aria does not further the plot, so really it is only a split second in time. An aria does not further the plot, so really it is only a split second in time. Second, a great number of operas portray events almost as a gritty documentary would. Second, a great number of operas portray events almost as a gritty documentary would. When a character gets stabbed in these operas he does not sing at all, he dies. When a character gets stabbed in these operas he does not sing at all, he dies. Exhibits A and B: Scarpia in Tosca or Carmen in Carmen. Exhibits A and B: Scarpia in Tosca or Carmen in Carmen.

5. You need to know foreign languages to “get” an opera Most opera’s are not in English however, a translation of the libretto is easy to find and probably included with the program. Most opera’s are not in English however, a translation of the libretto is easy to find and probably included with the program. Libretto being a fancy word for the plot and action in an opera. Libretto being a fancy word for the plot and action in an opera. Today, most professional opera houses have surtitles. Today, most professional opera houses have surtitles. Surtitles are English translations that are projected over the stage. Surtitles are English translations that are projected over the stage. So you can enjoy the show and glance up when you need to. So you can enjoy the show and glance up when you need to.

6. Opera is boring If you watch an opera and cannot understand what the characters are saying yes, it is boring. If you watch an opera and cannot understand what the characters are saying yes, it is boring. Luckily surtitles are in most opera houses. Luckily surtitles are in most opera houses. Sometime, and only sometimes, opera can drag on a bit. Wagner is guilty of this. But, overall opera is one of the most exciting art forms. Sometime, and only sometimes, opera can drag on a bit. Wagner is guilty of this. But, overall opera is one of the most exciting art forms. The last act of Puccini’s opera Tosca for example. The music is passionate and powerful; the melodies are gorgeous and hummable; the story is tragic and human; the mood is intense and super charged. The last act of Puccini’s opera Tosca for example. The music is passionate and powerful; the melodies are gorgeous and hummable; the story is tragic and human; the mood is intense and super charged.

7. You have to dress up to go to the opera This is one of the saddest misconceptions, because it prevents some potential rip- roaring opera fans from stepping into the opera house. This is one of the saddest misconceptions, because it prevents some potential rip- roaring opera fans from stepping into the opera house. Remember, some people get dressed up to go to the post office. That doesn’t mean you have to. Remember, some people get dressed up to go to the post office. That doesn’t mean you have to.

8. Opera plots are far-fetched and creaky You always hear people say that opera is unrealistic, that is has nothing to do with real life. But the fact is, opera plots are exactly what you read about on the front page every day. You always hear people say that opera is unrealistic, that is has nothing to do with real life. But the fact is, opera plots are exactly what you read about on the front page every day. Opera is about love and desire, jealousy and greed, devotion and betrayal, justice and injustice. The plots of these operas are as pertinent as the day they were written. Opera is about love and desire, jealousy and greed, devotion and betrayal, justice and injustice. The plots of these operas are as pertinent as the day they were written.

9. Opera isn’t worth the prices they charge nowadays. A good seat at an opera house can cost $50, $60 – even $100 for a ticket. A good seat at an opera house can cost $50, $60 – even $100 for a ticket. Yikes! Can the experience possibly be worth the price? Yikes! Can the experience possibly be worth the price? There are two answers to this question: yes and no There are two answers to this question: yes and no

An opera ticket is worth the price because of the enormous size of the production- especially a great production. An opera ticket is worth the price because of the enormous size of the production- especially a great production. You get a cast of big-voiced opera singers, beautiful set designs that transform the stage into Paris or Egypt; incredible lighting effects; a huge chorus; a word class orchestra; hundreds of stage hands who make it all happen; and a building big enough to house all of the above. You get a cast of big-voiced opera singers, beautiful set designs that transform the stage into Paris or Egypt; incredible lighting effects; a huge chorus; a word class orchestra; hundreds of stage hands who make it all happen; and a building big enough to house all of the above. Yes!

Maybe not! On the other hand, no, it’s not worth the price if you don’t enjoy yourself. But the hope is that, armed with knowledge you will gain in this class, understanding insight and insider information will guarantee a good time every time. On the other hand, no, it’s not worth the price if you don’t enjoy yourself. But the hope is that, armed with knowledge you will gain in this class, understanding insight and insider information will guarantee a good time every time. Plus, more often than not there are ways to get a deal on tickets. Plus, more often than not there are ways to get a deal on tickets.

10. Opera singers have it easy Show up, work for three hours, collect $12,000 and go home. Not bad. Show up, work for three hours, collect $12,000 and go home. Not bad. In actuality, no performing art is more difficult and taxing than singing opera. In actuality, no performing art is more difficult and taxing than singing opera. Opera singers must sing, sometimes at the top of their lungs, for hours on end. Opera singers must sing, sometimes at the top of their lungs, for hours on end. Singers have to be almost superhuman to perform this feat. Singers have to be almost superhuman to perform this feat. Add to that the pressure of performing these challenging roles to perfection night after night. Most opera goers know have heard the music on a CD, recorded in ideal conditions. Opera singers are expected to reproduce this sound to a hall of 3,000 people. Add to that the pressure of performing these challenging roles to perfection night after night. Most opera goers know have heard the music on a CD, recorded in ideal conditions. Opera singers are expected to reproduce this sound to a hall of 3,000 people.

Holt HS General Music Opera is section A of this class. Opera is section A of this class. There are two more sections we will be studying. There are two more sections we will be studying. Section B is geared toward classical instrumental music. Section B is geared toward classical instrumental music. Section C is a quick breeze through pop music. Section C is a quick breeze through pop music. I look forward to experiencing all of the above with you this semester and together we will come to a better understanding of this art form we call music. I look forward to experiencing all of the above with you this semester and together we will come to a better understanding of this art form we call music.