For October 7:
- Listen to the
overture: Once before watching the
opera, once after. Then answer these questions:
- What did you notice/hear?
- What emotions are conveyed through the music?
- How does the overture prepare us for the opera?
- Consider this: How does the music convey character? Listen to Donna Anna & Don Ottavio sing “Fuggi, crudele, fuggi.” What does the music tell us about these characters?
"Fuggi, Crudele, Fuggi” starts at 3:03 min.
For words to "Fuggi, crudele, fuggi”, click here.
For October 14:
Listening Challenge: Here are three performances of the aria “Sogno soave e casto.” Which do you prefer and why?
For a translation of the words to “Sogno soave e casto”, click here.
Roberto Alagna
Alfredo Kraus, 1979
Juan
Diego Flores (at 0:32)
Juan Francisco Gatelli (at 3:45)
For October 21:
Listen to the overture of Don Pasquale
- What do you notice/hear?
- What emotions are conveyed through the music?
- How does the overture prepare us for the opera?
James Levine conducting:
Consider the differences between Comedy and Pathos.
- Listen to the aria “Sogno soave e casto” How does this aria (and its set-up) communicate the emotional shift from comedy to pathos in this opera?
- How does Donizetti balance these moods in the opera?