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DESCRIPTION
This course gives a broad overview of Italian operatic history. Tracing its origins back to the late sixteenth century 'Camerata' in Florence (which led to the first music dramas of Claudio Monteverdi), the course explores the history of Italian opera through a chronological selection of representative works from the 17th to the 20th centuries. Emphasis will be placed on: musical, dramaturgical, sociological and historical aspects of opera. Other topics include: the technical issues of opera production, the role of singers and the relationship between the composer and the playwright or librettist. Selected works include: Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro, Rossini's Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Bellini's La Sonnambula, Donizetti's Don Pasquale, Verdi's Rigoletto and Puccini's Bohème. Prerequisites: None

OBJECTIVE
To provide students with a deeper understanding of the musical and cultural aspects of opera. By the end of this course, students gain a thorough knowledge of the works of the most important composers of the history of Italian Opera. They will be able to place them in historical context and appreciate the aesthetics of their art.

PREREQUISITES AND REQUIREMENTS
There are no prerequisites for this course. The course will be taught in English, The Italian verses of the operas will be read in translation. Some technical terms in Italian (such as libretto, aria, castrato etc.) are essential for a basic understanding of opera. A glossary will be provided.

METHOD
The course consists of lectures, listening and video projections and readings.

ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION
Attendance is mandatory. Every absence will lower the attendance grade. In addition: at the 3rd absence the final grade may be lowered by one full letter grade. A 4th absence may result in automatic failure. As a question of mutual respect, punctuality is required. Active participation in class discussion is requested.

TESTS - ASSIGNMENTS
The mid-term exam is in 2 parts: I part 4 answer questions; II part 1 essay question. Final exam is 2 parts: I part 7 answer questions; II part 1 essay question. In addition students will be given 2 assignments during the course.

EVALUATION - GRADING SYSTEM
10% Attendance and participation 25% Mid-term written exam 25% Final written exam 25% Individual Research Paper 15% Home Assignments

TEXT BOOK - FURTHER READINGS - SOURCES

Required reading:

Text Coursepack (one xeroxed booklet) based on: Headington C., Westbrook R., Barfoot T.,: Opera. A History.
Grout D.J.: A Short History of Opera.
Librettos of: Le Nozze di Figaro, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, La Sonnambula, Don Pasquale, Rigoletto, La Bohème.
The coursepack can be bought at the copisteria MAIL BOXES ETC. Via Corso Tintori 39/r tel 055/2466660. Mailboxes is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Glossary and photo-copies of the synopsis of the Operas (distributed in class).

Further readings:

D. Kimbell, Italian Opera, Cambridge University Press 1991
H. Rosenthal - J. Warrack, The Concise dictionary of Opera, Oxford Press 1987
The New Grove Masters of Italian Opera: Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini, Verdi, Puccini Mc Millan London 1991
The New Grove Italian baroque masters: Monteverdi, Frescobaldi Cavalli Corelli Scarlatti Vivaldi Mc Millan London 1984
The Cambridge Music guide, Sadie &Latham, London 1995
The Rough Guide to Opera ed. by Matthew Boyden
SMITH, Patrick J., The Tenth Muse: A Historical Study of the Opera Libretto, 1970
HEADINGTON, C., WESTBROOK, R., BARFOOT, T., Opera. A History, 1987
RAYNOR, Henry, A Social History of Music, Voll. I & II, 1978
GROUT, Donald, A History of Western Music, 1980
OSBORNE, Charles, The Complete Operas of Mozart, 1969
OSBORNE, Richard, Rossini, 1987
WEINSTOCK, Herbert, Vincenzo Bellini: His Life and His Opera, 1980
BUDDEN, Julian, The Operas of Verdi, Voll. I, II & III, 1982
OSBORNE, Charles, The Complete Operas of Puccini: a Critical Guide, 1990
These books are available at the FUA LIBRARY

LAB FEE - VISIT FEE
Approx. 32,50 Euro required for the mandatory text coursepack
Approx. 25 Euro for the 1 opera ticket to be paid to your Advisor

VISITS - TRIPS
An evening at the Opera (TEATRO COMUNALE) . The date of the performance will be communicated on the first day of class. The ticket requires approx. 25 Euro. Attendance is mandatory. Further details on the performance and on "theatre going" will be given in class.

MATERIAL LIST
Each student should have a CD player for personal use. CDs, video tapes and librettos of operas are available at the Library located in the main FUA faculty in Via Magliabechi 1 open from 9.00AM - 8.00PM from Monday to Thursday and on Friday from 9.00 AM to 3.30 PM.

RECORD STORES:
LA FENICE, Via Santa Reparata 8 B (the largest selection of classical music in town)
ALBERTIBorgo San Lorenzo 45-49 red (on the first floor)

VIDEOSTORES:
ALBERTIBorgo San Lorenzo 45-49 red (on the first floor)
PUNTO VIDEOvia Sant'Antonino 7 red (Operas in video to rent)

FINAL EXAM - FINAL PAPER
For the format of the final exam see #6 above. The final research paper has to focus on a topic concerning Italian opera chosen by the student and approved by the teacher and developed through serious research, readings, analysis, comparisons, observations. Guidelines for the paper will be distributed on the first day of class. The subject of the research paper should be decided by the end of the third week. The paper has to be typed and can be 2500/3000 words excluding bibliography. Handwritten papers are not accepted. All papers should have a pertinent bibliography and properly footnoted. Websites must be cited as references Plagiarism will bring you F grade. Grading system for the paper C: A correct work of compilation, for which one main source has been used. B: A personal work, based on different sources, demonstrating a critical approach A: A researched work, critical and insightful. (Detailed grading criteria on demand)