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Opera & Beyond Chapter 14
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What you will learn Describe the beginnings of opera
Identify musical characteristics that communicate emotions Summarize the similarities and differences between an opera and a musical
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Vocabulary Opera Arias Recitative Opera seria Opera buffa Verismo
Libretto Pathos
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Musician profiles Giacomo Puccini Daphne Rubin-Vega
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Introduction to opera - La Boheme
A staged drama that is predominantly sung, most often with orchestral accompaniment Origins of opera Began in Italy around 1600 Earliest operas were stories based on ancient myths Music followed the natural rhythms and pitch inflections of the words Arias: Songs for a solo singer Recitative Sung conversation between characters to help advance the story line
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18th Century Opera Opera seria
A serious form of opera with lofty heroic themes from history and mythology Dominated the 18th century Meant to showcase the singer Opera buffa Comic opera Importance of orchestra increased Dramatic aspect suffered More worldly and accessible Focus on the story Marriage of Figaro by Mozart – prime example
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Opera in the 19th century World wide Verismo
A style of Italian opera with realistic portrayals of everyday life Giacomo Puccini ( ) romanticized this style Italian composer Was expected to be a church musician A performance of Verdi’s Aida inspired him to pursue opera Composed some of the most popular operas of all time Wrote La Boheme, Tosca, and Madama Butterfly Known for long gorgeous melodies and rich harmonics that show passionate emotions
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La Boheme Considered, “the greatest love story ever sung”
The libretto was by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica The text of an opera or musical including dialogue and lyrics Opened in Turin Italy in 1896 Was not respected by critics at first It is based on a novel by Henri Murger titled Scenes from a Bohemian Life Bohemian Derived from the colorful life-style of a carefree people who once roamed Central Europe A metaphor for the lifestyle of romantic, young, and usually poor artistic types
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The story Activity 3, p. 325 CD 9:20 (TRB 14-4)
Activity 2, p. 323 CD 9:19, lyrics p. 324 “Che gelida manina” – sung by Rodolfo How would you describe the melodic contour of this theme? Do you think this melody would be easy or difficult to sing? Why? Why do you think this melody has become so memorable? Activity 3, p. 325 CD 9:20 (TRB 14-4) “Quando m’en vo” (“Musetta’s Waltz”) – sung by Musetta Fermata The sustaining of a pitch How does the use of these tempo devices enable Musetta to express her flirtatious mood? How many times did you hear the famous opening melody of “Musetta’s Waltz”? What can you tell about Musetta’s character from the music and the singer’s performance
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The story - continued Activity 5, p. 328 CD 10:1 lyrics, p. 328
“Donde lieta” – sung by Mimi Make a list of the musical characteristics that help convey Mimi’s despair and sadness. Divide your list into three categories” The Orchestra – how does it convey the mood? What role does the accompaniment play in giving the aria unity? The Melody – what characteristics make it a love song The Singing – how does Mimi express her love for Rodolfo in the way she sings? Activity 5, p. 328 CD 10:1 lyrics, p. 328 “Sono Andatti” - duet by Mimi and Rodolfo Pathos The feeling of sympathetic pity or compassion for a character
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Rent – Celebrating Bohemia a century later
From opera to rock musical Jonathan Larson updated the story of La Boehme to the present day and titled the musical Rent The fatal disease was changed from tuberculosis to AIDS The setting was changed to New York City Young bohemians – filmmaker, dancer, scholar, and actor Same issues – disease, death, loss, poverty, homelessness, and a quest for the meaning of live Verismo and pathos are still evident Won four Tony awards plus the Pulitzer Prize for Drama Larson died of a heart attack before the show opened
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La Boheme & Rent La Boheme Rent Character Profession Song(s) Rodolfo
Poet “Che gelida manina” Marcello Painter Colline Phliosopher Mimi Falls in love with Rodolfo, Dies of consumption Musetta Marcello’s ex-girlfriend “Quando me’n fo” Character Profession Song(s) Roger Song writer “One Song Glory” Mark filmmaker “Rent” Collins Teacher “Sante Fe” Mimi Falls in love with Roger, Dies of AIDS Maureen Mark’s ex-girlfriend Angel Street musician
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The story Activity 6, p. 331 CD 10:2 sung by Mark, Roger, and Collins
“Rent” Activity 7, p. 332 CD 10:3 sung by Roger, lyrics p. 333 “One Song Glory” What word functions as a musical “hook” to support the emotional and musical unity in the song? On which lines of text is the dynamic level the loudest? Which line of text is sung in the highest part of the voice register? Which lines of text are sung with the greatest intensity and drive? Why do you think the composer made that decision? How does it serve to heighten the emotion?
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The story - continued Activity 8, p. 334 CD 10:4
“Sante Fe” – sung by Collins Is the ostinato pattern present throughout the song? What is the effect of the repeated patterns on the organization of the song? Describe the effect of speaking and singing the text. Why is this song classified as rock style? Activity 9, p. 335 CD 10:5 “Seasons of Love” – sung by the cast Would you describe this piece as a slow or fast 4/4 time? Does it lend itself to clapping on the offbeats? What other musical characteristics make this song “gospel” in style?
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Daphne Rubin-Vega b. 1969 Born in Panama and moved to New York as a child Sang in the girl group Pajama Party Played the role of Mimi in the original production of Rent Broadway debut Won the theater World Award Nominated for a Tony and Drama Desk for best actress in a musical
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Assignment – Activity 10, p. 337
How is Rent similar to La Boheme? Summarize the similarities in the characters, relationships, plot, and environment How is Rent different from La Boheme? Summarize the differences in setting, style of singing, accompaniment, and use of voices. Within the context of their time and style, are both composers equally powerful and immediate in the way they develop empathy and pathos for their characters? Why or why not? How does familiarity with one of these works help a person appreciate the other one?
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Meet the Musician Nadie Sierra singing “O Mio Babbino Caro”
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Review - terms Arias Libretto Opera Opera buffa Opera seria
Songs for a solo singer and orchestra Libretto The text of an opera or musical, including dialogue and lyrics Opera A staged drama that is sung, most often with orchestral accompaniment Opera buffa Comic opera Opera seria A serious form of opera with lofty heroic themes from history and mythology
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More terms Pathos Recitative Verismo Opus
The feeling of sympathetic pity or compassion for a character Recitative Sung conversation between characters to help advance the story line Verismo A style of Italian opera with realistic portrayals of everyday life Opus Work of art – plural is opera
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Performed the role of Mimi in Rent
Music and speech Early opera: music followed the natural rhythms and pitch inflections of the words 19th century Focused more on the music Jonathan Larson Lyricist and composer of Rent Died of a heart attack before the show opened Performed the role of Mimi in Rent Daphne Rubin-Vega 19th century Italian composer of La Boheme Giacomo Puccini Example of opera buffa Marriage of Figaro by Mozart Opera plots Early opera: myths and legends 19th century Focused more on real life - verismo Awards for Rent Four Tony awards Pulitzer Prize for Drama La Boheme – critics’ reaction It was not praised by critics when first performed
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La Boheme & Rent La Boheme Rent Character Profession Song(s) Rodolfo
Poet “Che gelida manina” Marcello Painter Colline Phliosopher Mimi Falls in love with Rodolfo, Dies of consumption Musetta Marcello’s ex-girlfriend “Quando me’n fo” Character Profession Song(s) Roger Song writer “One Song Glory” Mark filmmaker “Rent” Collins Teacher “Sante Fe” Mimi Falls in love with Roger, Dies of AIDS Maureen Mark’s ex-girlfriend Angel Street musician
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Describe the ways Jonathan Larson updated La Boheme in his musical Rent
Changed the setting From Paris to New York City Changed the time 19th century to end of 20th century style of music Classical to contemporary rock Character names Both used pathos
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What musical devices were used in La Boheme and Rent to express emotions?
Dynamic contrast Rubato Fermata Repetition of melodies Rent Dynamics Vocal register Musical hooks
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