Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Opera problemsMozart solutions Don Giovanni Study thoughts Mozart Incomparable child prodigy Performing at 5 Composing at 8 Prolific composerall genres eg Operas ID: 273047
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Slide1
Introduction to Music
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Opera problems—Mozart solutions
Don Giovanni
Study thoughtsSlide2
Mozart
Incomparable child prodigy
Performing at 5
Composing at 8
Prolific composer—all genres, e.g.:
Operas
41 symphonies
Concertos for piano, strings,
winds (being improved)
Sonatas, serenades, masses
Genius; life possibly complicated by shortage of good judgmentSlide3
Mozart & Opera
Opera problems : Mozart’s solutions:
1. “stock”charactersSlide4
Mozart & Opera
Opera problems : Mozart’s solutions:
1. “
stock”characters
2. plots
about mythology,
gods, aristocracy
3. “stop & go”
(aria) (
recit
.)
4. not cohesive, story lines interrupted—often by non-story material
characters have real, believable personalities
plots about real-life middle class characters
continuous flow
arias and recitatives blended together
orchestration
, harmony,
melody, style--
all contribute to
story-telling, setting mood,
& adding depth to
characters; all else eliminated!Slide5
Summary
Mozart
Don Giovanni
, Act I
Italian comic opera (a
ctually, “drama
giocosa
”)
I =
many recitatives are accompanied by orchestra
ensembles:
characters retain I.D.s and personalities
several actions, moods, messages presented simultaneously opera provides social commentary
Connect KamienSlide6
How does Mozart use the voices, instruments, and qualities of the music to tell the story in each of the following excerpts?
p. 183--“Waiting around” music:
Notte
e
giorno
faticar
…
What elements of the music project elapsing time and
Leporello’s
pacing and/or impatience?
pp. 183,4-- ensemble of Donna Anna, Don Giovanni,
Leporello: Non sperar, se non m’uccidi
… What message and mood does each character project? (Use the text and/or ConnectKamien
.)p. 184—Commandant enters: Lasciala,
indegno!... What characteristics of his voice and/or the music communicate his authority and advanced age?
p. 185--Dueling music: What sounds suggest the slashing of swords in a fight? What musical device indicates the duel has stopped suddenly (with the Commandant being run through)?
p. 185--ensemble of mortally wounded Commandant, Don Giovanni,
Leporello
:
Ah
soccorso! Son tradito!... What message does each character project?p. 186—Recitative: near-conversation quality, little melody, basso continuo accompaniment
Don Giovanni: What do you hear?Slide7
Don Giovanni readingsClick on the hypertext and read these 2 articles
NY Metropolitan Opera Synopsis
A modern day Don Giovanni production
describing the complex and demanding world of today’s opera productionSlide8
Lorenzo da Ponte
What
were da Ponte’s special abilities
and skills?
What is his connection with Mozart?
What was
his
connection
with the opera,
Don
Giovanni
?Slide9
Don Giovanni--Deep
thoughts
Think of how today’s culture and its expressions
treat elements like those in
Don Giovanni
as
“mere entertainment.”
Womanizing
Seduction,
rape
Murder
Contempt for:
absolutes of right and wrong
authority (especially religious/moral)
notion of wrong or evil being punishedWas the opera,
Don Giovanni ahead of its time?? Maybe a bit an anomalous misrepresentation of
culture’s tastes? Probably NOT
Movies
TV
Newspapers
Magazines
NovelsHollywood “stars”Pop culture iconsSlide10
Know about Mozart:
his
wunderkind
early life
his problems w/ patronage
his
development of operaSlide11
Compare/Contrast Baroque with Classical
Society’s religiosity/secularity
Aristocracy’s wealth and power
Role of peasantry
Geographical centers of artistic development
Music’s most important function in societySlide12
Explain...
patronage--its relationship with and benefits/problems for
Haydn
Mozart
Beethoven
why the French Revolution, general European turmoil, and industrialization led to the demise of patronage.
why less complex music is favored in classical culture.