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 works surveyed span classic and modern masterpieces, including two deservedly called “unique”: Fidelio, Beethoven’s only opera, a powerful drama of justice which returns to the Met featuring superstar Lise Davidsen; and Dialogues des Carmélites, Poulenc’s only full-length opera, a story of sacrifice inspired by real events, which comes to Juilliard in a new production. Other operas, all to be performed at the Met, include Tchaikovksy’s haunting The Queen of Spades, which manage to mix romance, ghosts, and card-counting; Moby-Dick, Jake Heggie’s sweeping version of the Melville novel in its Met premiere; and Richard Strauss’ Salome, an opera once banned (for its sex and violence), now popular (for its sex and violence), set to receive a new Met production. After a brief look at the historical background for each opera, focus turns to the score and libretto itself: How does Tchaikovsky musicalize obsession, by way of short themes and repetition that track the protagonist’s madness? What are the dangers of adapting a household-name novel like Moby-Dick into a lyric drama? Why does Beethoven withhold a romantic duet until late in the final act – and why did he write four versions of the overture? 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 28–April 29

$663