Opera: Passionate Human Stories in Music

Catalog description

This course focuses on opera as the "total art work," encompassing aspects of Western European history and culture. From opera’s roots in ancient Greek drama to the present day, opera is constantly being shaped by the society in which it has thrived. Art, literature, theatre, and business are also relevant to opera and will be included in our journey through operatic masterpieces. Framed in the context of Italy as the self-proclaimed birthplace of opera, the course addresses how the passion for this art form has spread through—and united—cultures around the globe. A focus is on the patrons who have supported opera from its inception to the present-day. Students will learn to appreciate the art form by studying selected operas, attending an opera at Miami University and watching videos of operas. IIA. PA-3A.