Description
Opera has many varied sources for its stories, among which are Folk Tales, Fairy Tales, Melodramatic Plays and Novels. Each operatic story in our class derives from one of these sources. And each comes from a different country. We begin with Jacques Offenbach’s French opera “Les contes d’Hoffmann” – (The Tales of Hoffmann) which will be presented in movie theaters by the Metropolitan opera in HD on October 5. This story’s lead character is based on a real person – E. T. A Hoffmann – himself a writer and composer. From simple ballad-like songs to florid coloratura vocalizing, Offenbach spins four tragic love tales. “Sadko”, an opera in seven scenes, is an exaggerated folk tale written by the Russian composer Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov. With romantic and impressionist music, the composer tells the tale of a minstrel’s wild adventures. Rimsky-Korsakov’s sparkling orchestration brings excitement and color to this opera. Following this, we turn to the MET’s second HD presentation on November 23 – Puccini’s “Tosca”. Its fame is based on its memorable arias. We will highlight some of these arias with musical notation. This lets us see what the composer asks of the singers. Mark Adamo’s adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women” is our last opera this season. Adamo’s music deepens the emotional crisis of accepting change as we mature. Of course the focus is on Jo, yet the other sisters are will woven into this musical tale. This American opera has been very successful with many performances in the U. S as well as internationally.
David Collins has been lecturing on opera in the greater Boston area for over 25 years. He had been Opera Boston’s resident lecturer for 8 years. He has given opera courses at MIT, Regis College, The Boston Center for Adult Education and The Cambridge Center for Adult Education as well as lecturing at Northeastern University. Dave is currently a trustee of The Boston Wagner Association. Dave received his Bachelor degree from Boston University’s School of Music, his Master’s from Lesley University and did post grad work at the New England Conservatory and the University of Connecticut – Hart School of Music.
PLEASE NOTE: This class begins on 10/1 and will meet on 10/15, 11/12 and 11/26.
