roman

Learning Competency

• Explains plot, musical and theatrical elements of opera.

• Identify Romantic period opera composers.

• Explain contributions to Romantic opera.

• Appreciate contemporary relevance of opera composers' works.

Franz Peter Schubert

• Known for "lieder" (German for "songs").

• Enhanced lyrical drama influenced by poets (e.g., Johann Goethe).

• Key works:

  • Gretchen am Spinnrade

  • Erlkönig

  • Ellens Gesang III (Ave Maria)

  • Schwanengesang (Swan Song)

• Other contributions: Piano pieces, string quartets, operettas, Symphony No. 8 (Unfinished).

• Born: January 31, 1797; Died: 1828.

Giuseppe Verdi

• Focused on ordinary characters and middle-class themes.

• Insisted on quality librettos and political themes.

• Key works:

  • La Traviata

  • Rigoletto

  • Falstaff

  • Otello

  • Aida

• Born: October 9, 1813; Died: January 27, 1901.

Giacomo Puccini

• Emphasized realism in operas, drawing from everyday life.

• Known for rejecting mythological themes.

• Key works:

  • La Bohème

  • Tosca

  • Madame Butterfly

  • Turandot

• Born: December 22, 1858.

Richard Wagner

• Introduced innovative harmony and form; influenced by Beethoven.

• Advocated for "music drama" merging music and drama.

• Developed orchestration with equal importance to singers.

• Employed "leitmotifs" to signify characters/plot elements.

• Key works:

  • Tristan und Isolde

  • Die Walküre

  • Die Meistersinger

  • Tannhäuser

  • Parsifal

• Born: May 22, 1813; Died: February 13, 1883.

Georges Bizet

• Notable for the opera "Carmen", which faced initial criticism.

• Achieved posthumous fame; became a masterpiece.

• Born: October 25, 1838; Died: June 3, 1875.

Famous Operas of the Romantic Period

• La Traviata:

  • Composer: Giuseppe Verdi

  • Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave.

  • Romantic Tragedy set in Paris (1850).

• Madame Butterfly:

  • Composer: Giacomo Puccini

  • Libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica.

  • Romantic Tragedy set in Nagasaki, Japan.