Rock opera

Richard Wagner, a Romantic German composer, is one of the leading opera composers of his time; he often defined his stage works using the term bühnenfestspiel, or festival stage play. He is known for writing several such works, including Lohengrin, Der Ring des Nibelungen, and Tristan und Isolde. In these works Wagner is credited with the use of many compositional devices and philosophies. In particular, he is recognized for employing the idea of a “gesamtkunstwerk,” or collective art, in…

This change in the soundtrack mirrors how the score in Kingsman: The Secret Service transitions to victorious rock music in a major key when Eggsy and Roxy jump off a plane, triumphing over their challenges and fears (Kingsman: The Secret Service 0:49:00). Throughout both movies, the score reflects the difficulty of each test for Eggsy and Harry through changes…

"Casta Diva" is the main soprano aria from Vincenzo Bellini's opera Norma. It takes place in Act 1, shortly after the title's character first entrance. The part is considered one of the most challenging roles in the opera for a variety of reasons but particularly the music. This piece requires perfect vocalism, a wide range voice, skill at sculpting long curving phrases, and steady technical control. Many sopranos have recorded this aria, including Maria Calla and Anna Netrebko. It is a prayer…

Ludwig Van Beethoven is one of the most recognizable names the music world has ever had. For centuries, Beethoven’s music has stood the test of time; often being looked to as a default for instrumental pieces of its time. A composer in both the classical and romantic eras, his period during this growth period of music shows how he was constantly evolving with the musical landscape that he was thrust into. Beethoven’s influence can still be felt today. No other piece represents the genius of…

Although Dmitri Shostakovich’s song cycle From Jewish Folk Poetry does not have the international acclaim as some of his bigger orchestral works, it still remains one of his most powerful pieces that acted as a vehicle for his artistic and moral resistance against the rise of anti-Semitism in Soviet Russia during the end of Stalin’s life. From Jewish Folk Poetry was first composed in 1948 for soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, and piano, and then later orchestrated in 1963. In 1948, not only was…

1. The first piece of music I listened to for this assignment was Lohengrin, prelude to Act III composed by Wagner. The song was written for a scene for a wedding between a hero and heroine. The instruments in this song include a full orchestra and it is an orchestral piece. In my opinion, the song had a variety of feelings and sounds. For example, there is one part where it is mainly or entirely woodwinds. During this section, the music sounds very peaceful and light. After a while this…

For most of my life, I have loved the performing arts, particularly theater. One of the first musicals I ever admired was The Phantom of the Opera, which a friend introduced me to in the 7th grade. As soon as I watched it, I knew that I needed to experience it live on stage. Fortunately, after lots of begging and pleading, I convinced my mother to take me to New York to see it on Broadway during the summer of 2014. Starring in the production at that time were two of my theater idols: Norm Lewis…

Opera, the Composite Art of Music I like to read a novel, and one of my favorites is “The Children of the Rune.” At the middle part of the story, the main character who has a great talent for music attempts to make an opera named ‘Maximilien’ for his travel cost. It was the first time I encountered an opera, one of the most famous musical genres as a part of the novel. I was 9 years old when I read that novel; therefore, I did not know the exact meaning of ‘Opera’ at that time. What I just knew…

He invited Howard Shore to visit the different sets and to meet the cast, because he wanted him to immerse himself as much in the story as possible:"There were many months of reading Tolkien's books, studying Ring mythology and influences of Tolkien," Shore says "I had to do that in order to write, to express any ideas and emotions. [...] I think I´m always writing for an emotional impact. I want to feel something when I watch a film and that's how I create music. I mean, I'm watching a film and…

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a great and famous Austrian musical prodigy of the seventeenth century who wrote a wide range of symphonies, operas, concertos, and sonatas, and has left behind a legacy for people to embrace. Proposed into a life of music, the virtuoso was born on January twenty-seventh, 1756 in the city of Salzburg, Austria. His father, Leopold Mozart, was a violinist that served as an inspiration for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and his musically inclined older sister, Maria Anna…