About San Francisco Opera At the heart of every production we stage, you’ll find a world-class
company of artists, an enterprising and engaged staff, and the beautiful War Memorial Opera
House. Learn more about our company by using the menu to the right.
San Franciso Opera
History Opera is the plural of the Latin word opus, meaning, "work" (each piece written by a composer is called an opus). Opera is often defined as a play in which the words are sung rather than spoken, but this definition is too simplistic. A better definition is drama through music. The music is a partner; it does not merely accompany the drama, it contributes to it. Time stands still at times for the vocal sections in which the characters express their emotions. While opera combines music, plot and the spectacle provided by the sets, costumes and staging, the result is much more than the sum of the parts. It is truly an audio-visual art form. Although opera as we know it started during the Italian Renaissance, its roots go back to Greek drama. We don't know what it sounded like, but the ancient Greeks never thought of separating the poetry of their drama from music. The Greek plays were accompanied by strings or pipes and the words were sung or chanted. Dance was also part of the drama. The early church gave structure to chants and the accompanying music, supplying scales and notation.
At first there were only single-line melodies, but later these were woven together to form polyphony (several different lines of music played or sung at one time) and thus, harmonies. By the end of the fifteenth-century, it was the custom in Italy to perform short musical dramas during intermissions of other plays. Small orchestras accompanied these intermezzi. Court Masques, or elaborate dramas based on mythology or fables, became a very popular form of entertainment in the royal courts of Europe from the early sixteenth through seventeenth centuries. The stories were played out in pantomime to a background of orchestrated music, and the players were court members who spent lavish amounts of time and money on their costumes. Masques were intended to honor the head of the court where they were produced, and they were used to show the wealth and political power of the royal they honored. At this time, there was no real separation, as we know it, between theatre and opera, or between opera and ballet. These divisions started to become more obvious as musical composition developed. Jacopo Peri (1561-1633) is credited for the first opera, Dafne, based on the Greek myth. Though famous throughout Europe at the time, it has since been lost. Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) is the earliest composer whose works are still performed. He blended the music and the poetry of the libretto to create a multi-faceted theatrical form. Such early operas were usually based on history or mythology. This kind of opera is called opera seria, in contrast to opera buffa, or comic opera, which would develop later. During this period, the words were most important, with the small orchestras providing a simple accompaniment.
Separate musical lines were not written for the instrumentalists. Instead, they played the singers' lines; this meant that there was also no need for a conductor as we know of them now. Orchestras of the day usually functioned much the way current jazz ensembles often do; they looked to one player, often the keyboardist, to prompt them while playing. Mozart (1756-1791) was one of the first composers to write not just for, but about the nobility and their servants. A great example of this type of work is The Marriage of Figaro. In the early nineteenth century, with the development of more complex orchestrations and the addition of more flexible woodwind and brass instruments, conductors became necessary to coordinate and mold the sound and tone of the whole. By the end of the nineteenth century, opera was telling us stories on the steamier side of life among the lower classes, and the singing became more conversational. This type of opera is identified as verismo, or real. Puccini (1858-1924), who wrote his works during this time, gave us such important works as La Bohème, Madama Butterfly and Turandot. Opera is still being written today, and new works about historical and colorful figures are being performed throughout the world. Some of the newest works tell the stories of Harvey Milk, Malcom X and Jacqueline Kennedy.
Opera Basics text courtesy of San Diego Opera and Elizabeth Otten. The Lincoln Centre for Performing Arts
About Lincoln Center, Inc. | Where in the world can you find: - A landmark, multi-media staging of Wagner’s complete opera, Tristan und Isolde
- A rare, ten-part film series on one of the 20th century’s most unconventional virtuosos
- The hottest American Songbook stars with music from Dylan to Sinatra and beyond
- The home of the Emmy Award-winning Live From Lincoln Center telecasts
- 100,000 happy feet kicking up their heels under the stars to the sounds of Big Band Swing, Tango, Salsa, Disco, and Funk
- The world premiere of a work by the celebrated Mark Morris Dance Group, choreographed to the sublime music of Mozart
- A digital public art installation with more than a quarter-million lines of computer code
- A monster starring in the New York premiere of an opera by Broadway’s Lion King director, Julie Taymor
- Free outdoor concerts by jazz legend Sonny Rollins and Garth Fagan Dance
Only one place: Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
This is just a taste of the amazing range of classical, contemporary, and innovative performing arts events offered by Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. during our 2006–2007 season. "Lincoln Center presents" more than 400 live performances each year through six distinguished performance programs which bring music, opera, theater, dance, puppetry, circus, and cultural expression from around the globe to Lincoln Center stages. Lincoln Center is a national leader in television programming, family programs, and service for people with disabilities. We are proud to share the Lincoln Center complex with some of America's most famous artistic companies and organizations. There's something for everyone at Lincoln Center, and we invite you to learn more about Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc. on this web site. |    |
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Political Humour
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Queensland Opera WELCOME TO SEASON 2007-Pure Opera
The Love of the Nightingale
Two sisters deceived and abused by the same man transform into birds to escape their misery and his retribution, forever calling out their lamentations to the world in song. A reworking of the Greek myth of Philomele in Sophocles' lost play Tereus, this tragic tale of betrayal and violation is an explosive mixture of ethics, politics and feminism, which takes an uncompromising look at the power of words and the price of silence
Canadian Opera Company
New National Theatre, Tokyo
Opera Australia
The Opera Centre - Sydney 480 Elizabeth Street Surry Hills NSW 2010
Tel + 61 2 9699 1099 Fax + 61 2 9699 3184 ABN: 26 000 755 153
The Opera Centre - Melbourne Corner Fawkner and Fanning Streets Southbank VIC 3006
Tel + 61 3 9685 3777 Fax + 61 3 9686 1441 ACN: 000 755 153
Opera in Europe
Austria VIENNA With the great soloists, conductors and famous orchestras Vienna is a mid-european metropole for
classical entertainment. Venues from the Golden Hall of the Musikverein to bar...
Italy ROME Rome, the eternal city, lies embedded in the Campagna Romana at the banks of the Tiber, built on 7 hills.
Numerous architectural sites from past centurys shape the picture of ...
Italy VENICE Venice is over 1000 years old. It enchants people from all over the world with its unique location in the
midst of a lagoon. The city is not only famous for its architecture, ...
Germany BERLIN Berlins vibrant cultural scene has a lot to offer. Berlin, the capital of Germany, is dynamic,
cosmopolitan and creative, allowing for every kind of lifestyle. East meets West...
Austria SALZBURG In 1756 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Salzburg's greatest son, was born here. The founding of the
Salzburg Festival in the early years of this century brought new creative energy t...
Czech Republic PRAGUE Prague is a traditional cultural center, hosting many theaters (including National Theatre),
opera houses, concert halls, galleries and music clubs....
France PARIS Paris is the center of economy, politics and culture in France. Exploring Paris is like plunging into
ancient history: remains of the old Roman Lutetia, grand medieval abbeys,...
Germany HAMBURG Hamburg's facilities range from the Kunsthalle Art Museum and the State Opera to music clubs
on the Reeperbahn. Hamburg boasts 31 theatres, 6 music halls, 10 cabarets and 5...
Great Britain LONDON London is home to four of the world's largest orchestras - the London Symphony Orchestra,
Philharmonia, London Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra....Eac
Hungary BUDAPEST There is a huge range of cultural entertainment to choose from in Budapest. There are theatrical
performances and concerts of classical and light music every day, with both Hu...
Queensland Opera
WELCOME TO SEASON 2007
Hansel and Gretel
Lost in the woods, a world of magic and temptation, Hansel and Gretel soon find themselves encountering the evil Witch and her irresistible sweet house. Only their courage and wit can save them from becoming culinary delights – will they live to tell their “Grimm” tale? Based on a fairytale, adults and children of all ages will be enamoured with Elijah Moshinsky’s enchanting production of this classic opera. With brilliant, eye-catching designs and costumes, Humperdinck’s masterpiece will take you to a fantasy world and leave you mesmerised long after.
Vienna Opera
Vienna State Opera The
original State Opera House,
a neo-romantic building severely
criticised when it was built, was
inaugurated on May 25, 1869
with Mozart's Don Giovanni.
During World War II, the stage
was destroyed by Allied bombs
and the building gutted
by fire on March 12, 1945.
The foyer, with frescoes by
Moritz von Schwind, the main
stairways, the vestibule
and the tea room were spared.
Almost the entire décor
and props for more than 120
operas with around 150,000
costumes were destroyed.
The State Opera was temporarily
housed at the Theater an der
Wien and at the Volksoper.
The rebuilt theatre, seating more
than 2200, reopened on
November 5, 1955 with
Beethoven's Fidelio with
Karl Böhm conducting.For many
decades, the opera house has been
the venue of the Vienna Opera Ball.
Teatro Alla Scala
Story of the Day Episode Had It:
Tenor Walks Off La Scala's Stage to Boos December 12, 2006 ·
The Teatro Alla Scala says it will never allow tenor Roberto Alagna sing on its stage again, after Alagna left the stage during a performance of Aida Sunday night in Milan, Italy, in which he was booed by the audience at La Scala. Robert Siegel speaks with Enrico Girardi, a music critic for the Italian newspaper Corriera della Sera.
Opera De-Paris
The New Winter Season at
the Royal Opera House
The Film Society of the
LincolnCentre
The Royal Opera House |
Los Angeles OperaLos Angeles Opera Welcome to Los Angeles Opera’s 2005-06 Season, overflowing with exciting new opportunities and familiar programs reaching further into the community than ever before. To download the complete Education and Community Programs 2005/06 Season Brochure, use the following links: 2006/07 Education & Community Programs Brochure 2006/07 Education & Community Programs Application With something for absolutely everyone, Los Angeles Opera’s Education and Community Programs Department invites you to be part of the excitement and mystery that is opera. We promise you will never be the same. Students enjoy matinee performances free of charge, in-school residencies, school assemblies, opera clubs, opera camps, and are able to win season subscriptions. Teachers, too, are enriched by in-service teacher training and recital programs. College Students get involved by registering to receive e-mail announcements for special ticket offers and events. Additionally, LA Opera partners with a limited number of schools to bring special events to campuses, including opera recitals and master classes with LA Opera artists. Families are invited to join us for our newest tradition in the Grand Hall of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Saturday Mornings at the Opera. Communities enjoy lively opera talks and recitals at libraries, senior centers, colleges and universities, and community theaters. Senior Citizens associated with city or county-funded senior centers can attend free dress rehearsals at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Los Angeles Opera's Speakers Bureau consists of over 60 knowledgeable and enthusiastic Opera League of Los Angeles volunteer speakers, who present insightful "Opera Talks" to any group of 10 or more. From classrooms to libraries to civic or private groups to senior centers, our speakers serve thousands each year. Los Angeles Opera has joined forces with a number of local libraries to host a series of talks and presentations open to the public and free of charge. At selected participating libraries, Los Angeles Opera presents free opera concerts to conclude the series. Los Angeles Opera is continuing its Free Demonstration Performance Tour with our youthful take on Puccini's The Girl of the Golden West, The Prospector in January and February 2006 at nine community venues. Please don't hesitate to contact us for more information about this exciting program. for more information about this exciting program. It is our sincere hope that you will take advantage of the enriching opportunities Los Angeles Opera offers you and your community! Los Angeles Opera would like to announce its inclusion on www. LAArtsEd.org, the County’s first-ever online directory for arts education programs. The site provides one-stop shopping for educators looking for quality arts education programs that meet the state of California standards. The directory is searchable by artistic discipline (music, dance, theatre, visual arts), school subject area (history, math, English, science), grade level, program type (performance, workshop, field trip, residency) and cultural origin. Users can view video clips, and, most importantly, get directly in touch with us via an online booking form. The directory is operated by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission as part of the Arts for All initiative, launched in September 2002 to restore comprehensive arts education to Los Angeles County classrooms. 2006/07 Education & Community Programs Brochure 2006/07 Education & Community Programs Application Volunteer and Affiliated Support Groups Participate online! Watch KCET Life & Times' - Tosca Student Matinee Coverage |
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