The World of Opera

Pre-requisites for enrolment

No previous knowledge required.

Content of Course

Rameau – Hippolyte et Aricie;

Mozart – Magic Flute;

Rossini – La donna del lago;

Bellini – Norma;

Verdi – Il Trovatore;

Gounod – Faust;

Massenet – Werther;

Richard Strauss – Salome;

Shostakovich – Lady Macbeth of Mtsentsk

Teaching method(s)

Lectures, guided listening and discussion.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Analyse critically the aims and objectives of opera composers of various schools;

• Explain the changing priorities of composers and audiences in the field of opera;

• Discuss the changing power relationships between opera impresarios, singers and composers;

• Distinguish the features of one period in the history of opera from another.

Sources

Core Readings

Essential

• Jay, Donald & Weigel Williams, Hermine. 2003. A Short History Of Opera. New York, N.Y. Columbia University Press.

Further specific reading and listening will be recommended each week.

Class Handouts

Handouts will be provided.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.