19th-Century Opera: Meyerbeer, Wagner, & Verdi from edX

Travel through central Europe in the 1800s to experience the premieres of Meyerbeer’s Les Huguenots , Wagner’s Das Rheingold , and Verdi’s Otello. A complement to our course on 18th-century opera, you’ll be introduced to opera through an in-depth study of these canonical works. You’ll learn about the musical details of each opera and the cultural influence of the works by understanding the circumstances of its composition, premiere performance, and its legacy and significance today.

First, step inside the Paris Opéra in 1836 for the premiere performance of Giacomo Meyerbeer’s grand opera Les Huguenots. Go behind the scenes to discover the people and technology that made this type of opera such a thrilling combination of music and spectacle, important in its time but little-known today. You’ll learn about the characteristics of opera from this period, those involved in producing the premiere, and the social context surrounding Les Huguenots.

Then, journey to Bayreuth in 1876 for the first production of Richard Wagner’s Das Rheingold , the opening opera of his four-part saga Der Ring des Nibelungen. Discover how Wagner used musical themes to tell this mythical story and learn about the advancements in stage technology that brought this work to life.

Finally, travel to Milan in 1887 for the premiere of Giuseppe Verdi’s second-to-last opera, Otello. Learn how Verdi’s musical approach to this Shakespearean tragedy, his first opera after a fifteen-year hiatus, was influenced by the operatic innovations of his contemporary, Richard Wagner.

Enroll now to get to know the music of these three amazing operas, the 19th-century cultural context in which they were performed, and how they remain relevant in today’s complex musical landscape.

What's inside

Learning objectives

The technologies behind 1830s french opera performances
How romanticism differed from the optimism of the enlightenment
The different singing styles in french grand opera
Innovations in staging between the three periods of opera.

How wagner represented characters and situations with musical themes
The relationships among major players in the premiere of les huguenots
How wagner’s approach to opera influenced verdi’s otello
How act i of otello looked and sounded at the premiere

The technologies behind 1830s french opera performances
How romanticism differed from the optimism of the enlightenment
The different singing styles in french grand opera
Innovations in staging between the three periods of opera.
How wagner represented characters and situations with musical themes
The relationships among major players in the premiere of les huguenots
How wagner’s approach to opera influenced verdi’s otello
How act i of otello looked and sounded at the premiere

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Explores three 19th century operas by Meyerbeer, Wagner, and Verdi, providing insight into the cultural context of their premieres

Includes an in-depth study of the musical and cultural significance of each opera, suitable for students with a background in music or opera

Provides an overview of the technical advancements in opera staging during the 19th century, relevant for students interested in opera production

Teaches how musical themes are used to represent characters and situations in opera, useful for students studying music theory or composition

Examines the influence of Richard Wagner's operatic approach on Giuseppe Verdi's Otello, providing insights for students interested in the evolution of opera

Reviews summary

Enjoyable opera analysis

According to students, this course is a great learning experience and engaging if you're interested in 19th-century opera. Many say professor Kelly is a knowledgeable and engaging instructor who is passionate about the subject matter. Learners also enjoy the discussions.

Learners find the discussions in this course to be engaging.

Professor Kelly is praised as a knowledgeable instructor.

"professor Kelly is one of the best educators in the world."

This course focuses on three great operas by Meyerbeer, Wagner, and Verdi.

"This course deals with three great operas, Meyerbeer's Les Huguenots, Wagner's Das Rheingold, and Verdi's Otello."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in 19th-Century Opera: Meyerbeer, Wagner, & Verdi with these activities:

Review Your Basics

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Get yourself back up to speed with the basics to refresh what you may have forgotten.

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Review 19th century opera's roots in the Enlightenment
Define key opera vocabulary

Identify Opera Characteristics

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Listen to different opera excerpts and train your ear to recognize the key characteristics of each period.

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Listen to excerpts from various operas
Identify the opera period

Write an Opera Analysis

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Develop a deeper understanding of the musical and dramatic elements of opera by writing an analysis of a specific opera.

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Choose an opera to analyze
Research the opera's background and context
Analyze the musical aspects of the opera
Analyze the dramatic aspects of the opera
Write a comprehensive essay

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Career center

Learners who complete 19th-Century Opera: Meyerbeer, Wagner, & Verdi will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Opera Singer

An Opera Singer is someone who sings in an opera. This course is an in-depth study of three canonical opera works and would be a major asset to a singer who performs or intends to perform in any of these operas.

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Music Teacher

A Music Teacher develops, plans, and implements curriculum and instructional materials for music education at elementary or secondary schools. The in-depth study of three canonical opera works in this course would be a major asset to such a teacher.

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Music Director

A Music Director plans and directs musical programs of orchestras, bands, choirs, and opera companies. The in-depth study of three canonical opera works in this course would be a major asset to an aspiring Music Director.

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Opera Administrator

An Opera Administrator manages the business and operations of an opera company. The in-depth study of three canonical opera works in this course would be a major asset to such an Administrator, especially one who is responsible for planning.

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Music Critic

A Music Critic writes reviews and articles about music and music performances, often for a newspaper or magazine. The in-depth study of three canonical opera works in this course would be a major asset to such a Critic.

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Stage Manager

A Stage Manager is responsible for the technical aspects of a theatrical production and ensures that the production runs smoothly. The in-depth study of three canonical opera works in this course would be a major asset to such a Manager, especially one who is responsible for an opera production.

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Producer

A Producer is responsible for the overall artistic and financial aspects of a theatrical production, including choosing the play, hiring the director and cast, and overseeing the production process. The in-depth study of three canonical opera works in this course would be a major asset to such a Producer, especially one who is producing an opera.

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Artistic Director

An Artistic Director is responsible for the artistic vision of a performing arts organization. The in-depth study of three canonical opera works in this course would be a major asset to such a Director, especially one who is responsible for an opera company.

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Composer

A Composer creates musical compositions, often for performance by musicians. The in-depth study of three canonical opera works in this course may be useful to a Composer who is interested in writing operas.

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Musician

A Musician plays a musical instrument and may perform in a variety of settings, such as orchestras, bands, and chamber groups. The in-depth study of three canonical opera works in this course may be useful to a Musician who is interested in playing in an opera orchestra.

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Arts Administrator

An Arts Administrator plans, organizes, and manages the business and operations of arts organizations. The in-depth study of three canonical opera works in this course may be useful to such an Arts Administrator, especially one who is working for an opera company.

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Music Journalist

A Music Journalist writes articles and reviews about music and music performances for newspapers, magazines, and websites. The in-depth study of three canonical opera works in this course may be useful to a Music Journalist who is interested in writing about opera.

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Music Librarian

A Music Librarian organizes and maintains music collections in libraries and other institutions. The in-depth study of three canonical opera works in this course may be useful to a Music Librarian who is working in an institution with a large opera collection.

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Sound Engineer

A Sound Engineer is responsible for the sound quality of a recording or live performance. The in-depth study of three canonical opera works in this course may be useful to a Sound Engineer who is working on an opera recording or production.

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Music Therapist

A Music Therapist uses music to help people improve their physical, emotional, and cognitive health. The in-depth study of three canonical opera works in this course may be useful to a Music Therapist who is working with clients who are interested in opera.

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