It’s truly fascinating to me how much opera is being used and imitated to sell products, and not just for luxury items as one might think, but for loans, showers, pasta sauces and milk. Opera has been used to make tomato sauce appear more authentically Italian, a shower more luxurious, and a loan jingle that stays in our heads and make us laugh. I have to say, I think these were pretty effective uses, especially the spaghetti sauce commercials which I absolutely love. I’m a sucker for opera and Italian cuisine!
I also enjoyed the opera clips we watched of Repo the Genetic Opera, The Wrath of Khan and Milkquarious. Whether some of these were actually opera or rock opera isn’t really the point, although I would go with rock opera, (with the exception of The Wrath of Khan). I just like the fact that opera is getting out there more. The clips that sort of made fun of opera were even funny to me. However, had I felt that they were being disrespectful and malicious, I would have felt very differently, but sometimes you just have to laugh; especially in the clip from Robot Chicken.
I love opera, but I have to admit that there are times when I find it just so utterly ridiculous and over the top that I have to laugh. Opera can be funny, and it can be an easy target, but I think that that can be said of many different art forms. Paintings, ballet, interpretive dance, movies, TV shows; all of these things can be genuinely funny or easily parodied. I just hope that when opera is parodied or used in a commercial or movie, that act helps expose more people to this art form, and that they are able to see beyond the humor and beyond the luxury shower.
I know that for me, before really being exposed to opera, I used to think of it as this ultra serious snobby musical style where people just sang strangely and acted poorly. Now that I know more of the history of opera, I’ve actually invested some time in listening and watching opera, I’m in love with it and I think opera is beautiful. If all of these parodies and commercials can spark some interest and encourage people to explore opera deeper than what is just on the surface, more and more people may find that they too can appreciate all that opera has to offer.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
STAR WARS the OPERA
I’m pretty much convinced that if the Metropolitan Opera Company commissioned an opera to be written about Star Wars, it would be the biggest hit they’ve seen in years. I think it’s important that it’s treated respectfully, but that doesn’t mean ignoring the humor in singing about storm troopers and hearing Yoda bust out a high C. There are moments that would need to be treated seriously, while still embracing the fact that some sections are going to be funny.
I could imagine Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker and Han Solo having some absolutely beautiful music. Just thinking about the arias, duets and trios that could be written and how dramatic they would be really makes me wish I had the slightest talent for composition, because I would write this thing right now! The costumes and sets would be mind blowing, there would be no question about whether to stage this opera in a very big way or in a minimalist style; everything should be HUGE!
This would also bring an insane number of people out to this opera, and in doing so, expose thousands and thousands of non opera goers to this art form. Think of the publicity it would get solely on the basis of being an opera based off of Star Wars. There would be people buying tickets for the love of opera, some out of curiosity, and the rest would be the diehard Star Wars fans who attend everything and anything affiliated with Star Wars. I can just picture a huge group of people standing outside of the Met dressed in Star Wars costumes like they do at the premiers for the films.
I think Star Wars the opera would be an amazing success. To take something that has the fan following Star Wars does and be able to successfully produce it, especially in economic times like we’re facing now, would breathe new life into opera. I think our class should copy right this idea and sell it to the Met, GENIUS!!!!!
I could imagine Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker and Han Solo having some absolutely beautiful music. Just thinking about the arias, duets and trios that could be written and how dramatic they would be really makes me wish I had the slightest talent for composition, because I would write this thing right now! The costumes and sets would be mind blowing, there would be no question about whether to stage this opera in a very big way or in a minimalist style; everything should be HUGE!
This would also bring an insane number of people out to this opera, and in doing so, expose thousands and thousands of non opera goers to this art form. Think of the publicity it would get solely on the basis of being an opera based off of Star Wars. There would be people buying tickets for the love of opera, some out of curiosity, and the rest would be the diehard Star Wars fans who attend everything and anything affiliated with Star Wars. I can just picture a huge group of people standing outside of the Met dressed in Star Wars costumes like they do at the premiers for the films.
I think Star Wars the opera would be an amazing success. To take something that has the fan following Star Wars does and be able to successfully produce it, especially in economic times like we’re facing now, would breathe new life into opera. I think our class should copy right this idea and sell it to the Met, GENIUS!!!!!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
What Would You Do?
The question was posed in class on Thursday, “If you were cast in American Idiot,” a rock opera by Green Day, would you list it on your resume? I think for most people it would depend on what they were auditioning for. If I was auditioning for something on Broadway, like a musical, I would absolutely have it listed as a role I had performed. However, if I was auditioning for an opera, I would definitely be hesitant, especially as a young singer no one has ever heard of. If I had other more operatic roles listed in addition to a role in American Idiot however, I might feel differently.
If I was the individual responsible for the casting of an opera, and I saw someone had a role in a rock opera listed on their resume, I think I would be even more curious about their singing style. I doubt very much that I would write anyone off because of what roles they have taken in the past; my only concern would be how they would perform in this role right now.
Unfortunately I don’t think that the majority of people doing the casting these days share my sort of hippie lets all get along attitude when it comes to opera vs. rock opera, vs. musical theater. It really is disheartening at the lack of respect other genres of music receive. If someone is talented and can perform different styles of music well, I don’t think they should be discriminated against as a result. I remember in Opera Workshop last semester, someone asked the professor if it was true that if you go for your PHD as a performer, that you should not list it on your resume, because it may lead casting directors to believe that you were behind vocally and needed more time to work on your voice before going out on auditions. He professor thought that was ridiculous, but what is going on out there in the world that a question like that even needs to be asked?!?!?!
If I was the individual responsible for the casting of an opera, and I saw someone had a role in a rock opera listed on their resume, I think I would be even more curious about their singing style. I doubt very much that I would write anyone off because of what roles they have taken in the past; my only concern would be how they would perform in this role right now.
Unfortunately I don’t think that the majority of people doing the casting these days share my sort of hippie lets all get along attitude when it comes to opera vs. rock opera, vs. musical theater. It really is disheartening at the lack of respect other genres of music receive. If someone is talented and can perform different styles of music well, I don’t think they should be discriminated against as a result. I remember in Opera Workshop last semester, someone asked the professor if it was true that if you go for your PHD as a performer, that you should not list it on your resume, because it may lead casting directors to believe that you were behind vocally and needed more time to work on your voice before going out on auditions. He professor thought that was ridiculous, but what is going on out there in the world that a question like that even needs to be asked?!?!?!
Labels!!!!!!
In this day and age I think our society needs to label things. We have some weird undying urge to be able to put everything into a category, why? I don’t know! Opera, rock opera, musical, musical drama, operetta, when you get right down to it, what are the rules to go by when defining any of these art forms? Do you go by musical style, vocal style, if there is spoken dialogue, if everything is sung, if it’s in a foreign language, if it’s boring, exciting etc… The list could go on and on.
Personally, I am inclined to look at the vocal and musical style in which a piece was written and is to be performed. If there is belting involved, I would put it in a musical category, classical singing, it would remain in the opera category until further notice, I would need to examine it more to see if there is spoken dialogue and dance numbers which resemble that which are typical in musicals. (This just sounds so ridiculous!) There is just so much over lap in terms of what defines a work of art. If I was really unsure, like in the case of American Idiot, I would examine the intentions of the composer. I would absolutely not call American Idiot an opera, I would call it a musical, but it was written to be a rock opera.
What is a rock opera? My best guess is a work composed in a musical theater style both instrumentally and vocally, but without any spoken dialogue. It has pieces of both the musical and operatic worlds combined into one. Even now I’m having trouble really being able to set clear boundaries for defining an opera, musical, rock opera, etc… I suppose at a certain point you just have to suck it up and let it go. Call it whatever you want, a pencil is still a pencil even if I call it a cat, the end result will remain the same.
Personally, I am inclined to look at the vocal and musical style in which a piece was written and is to be performed. If there is belting involved, I would put it in a musical category, classical singing, it would remain in the opera category until further notice, I would need to examine it more to see if there is spoken dialogue and dance numbers which resemble that which are typical in musicals. (This just sounds so ridiculous!) There is just so much over lap in terms of what defines a work of art. If I was really unsure, like in the case of American Idiot, I would examine the intentions of the composer. I would absolutely not call American Idiot an opera, I would call it a musical, but it was written to be a rock opera.
What is a rock opera? My best guess is a work composed in a musical theater style both instrumentally and vocally, but without any spoken dialogue. It has pieces of both the musical and operatic worlds combined into one. Even now I’m having trouble really being able to set clear boundaries for defining an opera, musical, rock opera, etc… I suppose at a certain point you just have to suck it up and let it go. Call it whatever you want, a pencil is still a pencil even if I call it a cat, the end result will remain the same.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Gaining Focus
Alas, I think I may finally be organizing all of my thoughts for my paper. I’m putting it together like this; I would like to just give a brief background on Menotti, discuss what led Menotti to direct this opera, and finally, describe the differences between the film version and other staged versions.
One of the reasons this is so fascinating to me, and I hope this comes across in my paper, is because a lot of our class discussions have dealt with how we would stage and cast operas, and how well operas we have watched would translate to film. Not only do I have a film version directed by the composer to discuss, with a great deal of background on the filming process, I also have another staged version which is incredibly close to the orchestral score with the libretto and staging written in. I’ve also discovered another version of the opera put on by Northwestern University, which so far seems very well done and gives me another perspective for my paper.
Along with the last book I found on Menotti’s works for the screen, I’ve come across another book which I hope to get from the library tomorrow which discusses many of Menotti’s operas, and is considered, “the definitive guide to his musical works.” I’ve also come across a journal article that I would like to read as well. The information keeps pouring in I’m just having trouble narrowing it down, and I’m concerned that in wanting to really make a point, my paper may be too general, but we’ll see.
The Medium was really a jumping off point for Menotti as far as directing is concerned, and the film version is really the only opera of its kind. The fact that it was a film version allowed him to go back and add in more music and scenes that were intended for the original stage version, but for whatever reason were never included. That right there presents several differences between the film and stage works, but the camera angles and lighting effects added an entirely new level of creepiness to the opera, something that can’t be achieved on the stage. However, there is still so much to be said for the staged performances of this opera in terms of the flow and spontaneity of the work. The film version was somewhere around 80 minutes, short, but the staged versions runs about 55-60 minutes, the pacing is very different, and so is the setting, obviously the film version allows for much more freedom in terms of staging and locations, but the compactness of the stage set is very effective for all of the drama that is going on.
Overall I’m feeling very positive about the paper which should be pretty close to complete over the next couple days. Once the paper in done, I think I’ll have a much better feel of what will work and won’t work as project, but as I’m writing the paper I definitely have project ideas in the back of my mind.
One of the reasons this is so fascinating to me, and I hope this comes across in my paper, is because a lot of our class discussions have dealt with how we would stage and cast operas, and how well operas we have watched would translate to film. Not only do I have a film version directed by the composer to discuss, with a great deal of background on the filming process, I also have another staged version which is incredibly close to the orchestral score with the libretto and staging written in. I’ve also discovered another version of the opera put on by Northwestern University, which so far seems very well done and gives me another perspective for my paper.
Along with the last book I found on Menotti’s works for the screen, I’ve come across another book which I hope to get from the library tomorrow which discusses many of Menotti’s operas, and is considered, “the definitive guide to his musical works.” I’ve also come across a journal article that I would like to read as well. The information keeps pouring in I’m just having trouble narrowing it down, and I’m concerned that in wanting to really make a point, my paper may be too general, but we’ll see.
The Medium was really a jumping off point for Menotti as far as directing is concerned, and the film version is really the only opera of its kind. The fact that it was a film version allowed him to go back and add in more music and scenes that were intended for the original stage version, but for whatever reason were never included. That right there presents several differences between the film and stage works, but the camera angles and lighting effects added an entirely new level of creepiness to the opera, something that can’t be achieved on the stage. However, there is still so much to be said for the staged performances of this opera in terms of the flow and spontaneity of the work. The film version was somewhere around 80 minutes, short, but the staged versions runs about 55-60 minutes, the pacing is very different, and so is the setting, obviously the film version allows for much more freedom in terms of staging and locations, but the compactness of the stage set is very effective for all of the drama that is going on.
Overall I’m feeling very positive about the paper which should be pretty close to complete over the next couple days. Once the paper in done, I think I’ll have a much better feel of what will work and won’t work as project, but as I’m writing the paper I definitely have project ideas in the back of my mind.
Paper and Project Woes
I originally wanted to focus on one scene from Carlo Menotti’s The Medium. I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to write and present on the scene where Baba begins to lose her grip on reality causing her daughter, Monica, to calm her by singing; (in this scene we hear the aria “The Black Swan.”) Or write about the very last scene of the opera in which Baba kills Toby, her daughter’s mute friend and assistant during the séances.
Now I have watched two versions of the opera, one directed by Carlo Menotti himself, which was produced as a TV movie, and another from the 1970’s produced for the stage. I feel like this fits in perfectly with our Friday discussions on how we would stage an opera and who would we cast. I have one version directed by the composer in movie form, so his intentions and wants are clearly preserved for us to see, and another version directed by someone else for the stage, which is much more in line with the staging directions and libretto printed in the orchestral score.
Now that I’ve watched two versions, and I have more clips off of YouTube to watch, I’m not sure how exactly I want to focus my paper. Part of me wants to go into a more general overview of the differences between all of the versions I’ve seen, but the other part of me thinks it will be more effective to focus on only one scene and use that to demonstrate my point. I’m just not sure how I will translate that into my project as of right now. I originally wanted to show different clips of the same scene, and discuss the differences and similarities between them, but I think that would make for too long of a presentation. If I write a more general paper I could use one scene to support my findings, or with a great deal of help from someone good with editing and technology, I could put together a reel of different versions of various scenes back to back.
I have a book that I just found in the library that discusses Menotti and his productions “on screen,” and I’m hoping that that will help guide me in a good direction for my paper. I have a lot of information; I’m just having a difficult time organizing it all into a contained paper and project.
Now I have watched two versions of the opera, one directed by Carlo Menotti himself, which was produced as a TV movie, and another from the 1970’s produced for the stage. I feel like this fits in perfectly with our Friday discussions on how we would stage an opera and who would we cast. I have one version directed by the composer in movie form, so his intentions and wants are clearly preserved for us to see, and another version directed by someone else for the stage, which is much more in line with the staging directions and libretto printed in the orchestral score.
Now that I’ve watched two versions, and I have more clips off of YouTube to watch, I’m not sure how exactly I want to focus my paper. Part of me wants to go into a more general overview of the differences between all of the versions I’ve seen, but the other part of me thinks it will be more effective to focus on only one scene and use that to demonstrate my point. I’m just not sure how I will translate that into my project as of right now. I originally wanted to show different clips of the same scene, and discuss the differences and similarities between them, but I think that would make for too long of a presentation. If I write a more general paper I could use one scene to support my findings, or with a great deal of help from someone good with editing and technology, I could put together a reel of different versions of various scenes back to back.
I have a book that I just found in the library that discusses Menotti and his productions “on screen,” and I’m hoping that that will help guide me in a good direction for my paper. I have a lot of information; I’m just having a difficult time organizing it all into a contained paper and project.
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