EVDOL 30 - Opera This Season

Scott Eyerly
Designed for both newcomers and enthusiasts, this course explores the delights of a great art form from contrasting angles. The operas surveyed span almost 250 years, from the early Classical period to the present day, among them La forza del Destino, one of Verdi’s most sweeping and colorful works, receiving its first new Met production in almost three decades; Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, which adds a dash of French sensuality to Shakespeare’s tragedy; La Rondine, Puccini’s gem set in dazzling Second Empire Paris; and El Niño, John Adams’ modern, multi-lingual Nativity story, making its Met debut. Other operas include Mozart’s last, La clemenza di Tito, about a selfless leader (though it’s not technically a fairy tale) which mixes old and new musical styles, and Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice, one of opera’s earliest masterpieces, blending drama, dance and music in ways never seen before. After a brief look at the historical background for each opera, the focus turns to the score and libretto itself: Why do Roméo and Juliette sing four duets, setting a record for the art form? What makes us sympathetic to Puccini’s heroine within the opening ten minutes? How does Gluck cause audiences to audibly gasp – by using silence? Enhanced by recorded audio and visual excerpts, this lively course encourages novices and aficionados alike to think differently about opera.

All the works surveyed will be performed in New York City during the semester, allowing students, outside of class, to see them onstage.

13 weeks

Online Section

Tuesdays 5:30–7pm ET
January 23–April 23

In Person Section

Wednesdays 5:30–7pm ET
January 24–April 24

$663