MHST 371 Golden Age of Italian Opera
This course explores the conventions of 19th-century Italian opera through the works of Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti, Verdi, and Puccini. Changes in the libretto, musical structure, and role of singers are studied through developments in individual composer’s styles. We will talk about the differences between an opera libretto and a play, musical forms, the commercial aspects of opera composition and production, singers, and staging. There will be frequent quizzes, an oral presentation, and a written project.