WESTERN-CLASSICAL-PLAY-OPERA

WESTERN CLASSICAL THEATER

Overview of Theatrical Forms

• Covers plays and opera forms.

HISTORY OF THE THEATRICAL FORMS

The Origins of Theatre

• Theatre originated from myth, ritual, and ceremony.

• The term "theatre" means "place of seeing" and encompasses more than just performance spaces.

Production Roles in Theatre

• A playwright crafts scripts.

• A director guides rehearsals.

• Designers and technical crew create props and scenes.

• Actors and actresses perform on stage.

ANCIENT THEATER (700 B.C.E. - 410 C.E.)

Greek Theater

• European theatre began in Ancient Greece around 700 B.C. with festivals honoring gods.

• Athens was a cultural center during this period, holding competitions and festivals.

Prominent Greek Tragedy Playwrights

• Euripides: "Experience travel - these are as education in themselves."

• Sophocles: "Always desire to learn something useful."

• Aeschylus: "Memory is the mother of all wisdom."

Types of Ancient Greek Drama

• Tragedy: Derived from "tragos" and "ode"; focused on tragic events with unhappy endings. Thespis introduced the first actor and masks.

• Comedy: Often imitated life, popularized by Aristophanes; notable play includes "Lysistrata".

• Satyr Plays: Light-hearted pieces performed following tragedies, featuring half-man/half-goat characters known as Satyrs.

Ancient Theater Structure

• Theatron: Venue for viewing, often on hill slopes.

• Orchestra: Central area for performances.

• Skene: The stage or backdrop.

• Parodos: Side entrances for performers.

ROMAN THEATER

• Began in the 3rd century BC with influences from Greek theater.

• Notable themes included gladiatorial combat, chariot races, and public executions.

• Major Roman figures included Livius Andronicus and Pompey, who constructed permanent theaters.

MEDIEVAL THEATER (500 C.E. - 1400 C.E.)

• Theater performances were largely prohibited; minstrels kept traditions alive through traveling acts.

• Churches staged Biblical plays, eventually leading to works outside church settings.

RENAISSANCE THEATER (1400 - 1600)

• Characterized by a return to Classical styles with morality plays and the development of public theatre.

• Commedia dell'arte: Italian comedies performed by professional players.

ELIZABETHAN THEATER

• Supported by Queen Elizabeth I; included professional actors known as players.

• Shakespeare emerged as a significant figure during this period, known for his extensive body of work including tragedies and comedies.

NEOCLASSICAL THEATER (1800 - 1900)

• Influenced by Greek and Roman artistry characterized by elaborate costumes and scenery.

• Established tragedy and comedy as distinct genres; decorum was emphasized.

Notable Neoclassical Playwrights

• Pierre Corneille (1606 - 1684): Known for "The Cid".

• Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (Molière, 1622 - 1673): Famous for comedies like "Tartuffe".

• Jean Racine (1639 - 1699): Acclaimed for his tragedies like "Andromache".

ROMANTIC THEATER (1800 - 2000)

• Featured melodrama and opera as central forms.

• Melodrama relies on emotional appeal and includes orchestral music.

• Opera merges singing, musicianship, and dramatic performance.

Key Playwrights in Romantic Theatre

• Victor Hugo (1802 - 1885): Notable works include "Les Misérables" and "Notre-Dame de Paris".

• Georges Bizet (1838 - 1875): Known for the opera “carmen".