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".