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Opera and Operetta
Opera is the play
where some or all the words are singing. The first operas were written
in Italy, in 1590.
Usually, operas included
ballet too, and the first ones were sober. The ancient history, glorifying
gods and goddess borrowed subjects. Soon, the composers tried to write
funny operas. They were including new words too, example "Sing spiel" by
Mozart.
In the 19th century, many
famous operas were written by Italian composers, like Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901)
or Giacomo Puccini(1858-1924).
Another kind of opera that
was known in the year 1800, was operetta. It formed by the comic French
opera. Operettas were joyfully and they had spoken words, but sung, too.
They were shorter and were including dances, too.
At the beginning of the 20th
century have appeared operas that joined the baroque and classic technique.
The pioneer (pathfinder) was Igor Strawinski (1882-1971).
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Catalina
Burga
"Duiliu Zamfirescu" School,
Focsani, Romania
Teacher Petru
Dumitru
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GRAND OPERA is a
play set to music in which the characters act and sing their thoughts instead
of speaking them.
The great Austrian composer,
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, wrote "Don Giovanni" (Don Juan). The story by
Lorenzo da Ponte is based on a version called "The Stone Guest". This great
opera was produced for the first time in Prague in 1787. There are two
acts and the plot is laid in Seville during the Seventeenth Century.
Don Juan, a gay Spanish nobleman,
and his mischievous servant, Leporello, are always making people unhappy.
Don tries to press his attentions on Anna, the beautiful daughter of the
Commandant, who unexpectedly arrives. They fight a duel; the Commandant
is killed while Don Juan and his servant escape. The townspeople erect
a statue in honour of their dead commandant. While fleeing along a deserted
road, Don Juan meets an old sweetheart, Elvira, who reproaches him but
he escapes, leaving her alone with Leporello. We now find the gay cavalier
in his palace flattering a beautiful peasant girl, Zerlina. He orders a
gala festival and we hear the strains of the "MINUET", that graceful and
courtly dance of the incomparable Mozart. Don Juan attempts to run away
with Zerlina but is prevented by the appearance of Anna in search of the
murderer of her father and Elvira who seeks revenge; Don Juan again takes
to his heels. That night near the statue of the slain commandant, Don and
his servant plan other schemes. Suddenly, the statue speaks, warning them
to mend their ways. Flippantly, Don invites the statue to dine with them.
During the banquet, a heavy tramping is heard on the stairs. The statue
enters the room, Don Juan seizes the marble hand when instantly the floor
opens and demons drag the wicked Don Juan down amid flames and lighting.
Alin Moldoveanu
"Duiliu Zamfirescu" School,
Focsani, Romania
Teacher Petru
Dumitru
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