Middlebury

ITAL 6582

Hist Opera in Italy 1600-1900

The History of Opera in Italy, 1600-1900

A survey of operatic masterpieces in Italian, from Monteverdi through Puccini, with particular attention paid to the relationship of the music to the texts. No previous knowledge of music required. Works to be studied include "Orfeo" by Monteverdi, "Giulio Cesare" by Handel, "La Serva Padrona" by Pergolesi, "Don Giovanni" by Mozart, "Il Barbiere di Siviglia" by Rossini, "La Traviata" by Verdi, "La Boheme" by Puccini. Librettos of the operas will be read in the original Italian, and the musical scores will be analyzed for such elements as form, harmony and rhythm to discover the ways in which it enhances the dramatic action on stage.

Texts include: Complete librettos of the six operas listed above, plus supplementary biographies of the composers. Students will be required to listen extensively to recordings. Course requirements: three exams, including listening portions, and an oral presentation of 15 minutes duration based on independent research.
Subject:
Italian
Department:
Italian
Division:
Language School
Requirements Fulfilled:

Sections in Summer 2007, LS 7 Week Session

Summer 2007, LS 6 Week Session

ITAL6582A-L07 Lecture (Kairoff)