1. Interdisciplinary genres and music’s voice in drama, comedy, & dance
Opera & Ballet
Interdisciplinary genres and music’s voice in drama, comedy, & dance

2. What is Opera? An abbreviation of “opera in musica.”
Drama magnified by sound
“Drama set to music to be sung with instrumental accompaniment by singers usually in costume.” – Grove
Music is “integral” to opera, not “incidental” as in a musical or play. – Grove

3. Beginnings
Opera began in the late 1500s and early 1600s (Early Baroque)
Originated in Florence (Italian)
Many early opera composers are now relatively unknown
Monteverdi was the first significant opera composer (L’Orfeo)

4. Opera Terms: Recitative (abbrev. Recit.) Aria:
From the verb recitare, ‘to recite;’ a form of speech-like solo singing, free in rhythm and lacking in structured melodies.
Aria:
A lyrical piece for solo voice, with or without accompaniment, either independent or forming part of an opera, or other large work.

5. Opera Genres Opera Seria Opéra Comique “serious opera” Dramas
A term used to signify Italian opera of the 18th and 19th centuries on a heroic or tragic subject.
French comic opera, also known as:
Opera Buffa
Singspiel (German “sing- plays”)
Comedies with various amounts of spoken dialogue

6. What is Ballet?
“A style of theatrical dancing that developed in France during the 17th century…” – Grove Music Online Formation of 1st permanent professional dance troupe in Paris (1672) – Grove At first tied closely to opera, but established its independence in the 18th century - Grove

7. Who’s who Opera Composers Ballet Composers Lully (French)
Monteverdi, Claudio (Italian)
Händel, George F. (German/UK)
Mozart, W.A. (Austrian)
Verdi, Giuseppe (Italian)
Puccini, Giacomo (Italian)
Wagner, Richard (German)
Britten, Benjamin (English)
Glass, Philip (American)
Lully (French)
Rameau (French)
Tchaikovsky (Russian)
Stravinsky (Russian/US)
Maurice Ravel (French)
Copland, Aaron (US)