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First Nights - Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo and the Birth of Opera

Thomas Forrest Kelly

Claudio Monteverdi's L'Orfeo premiered in Mantua in 1607, and continues to be regarded as one of the most important examples of early opera. With L 'Orfeo , Monteverdi helped to establish the techniques and traditions that continue to inform the genre of opera to this day.

Harvard's Thomas Forrest Kelly (Morton B. Knafel Professor of Music) guides learners through the first half of L'Orfeo , highlighting aspects of operatic form and dramatic technique, the rehearsals and cultural context for the premiere performance, and the work's continued relevance today. There will also be a focus on Monteverdi's life and work as a Renaissance court musician.

In this music course, you will learn the basics of operatic form and analysis, the genres and styles used, and the circumstances of this opera's first performance and subsequent history. Learners in this course need not have any prior musical experience.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

Identify and describe the technical and formal aspects of 17th century opera
Understand the instruments of monteverdi's orchestra, as well as the voice types of the singers

Appreciate cultural context and performance circumstances of monteverdi's l'orfeo

Identify and describe the technical and formal aspects of 17th century opera
Understand the instruments of monteverdi's orchestra, as well as the voice types of the singers
Appreciate cultural context and performance circumstances of monteverdi's l'orfeo

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces learners to the history of opera, examining L'Orfeo by Claudio Monteverdi, one of the earliest known operas

Taught by Thomas Forrest Kelly, Morton B. Knafel Professor of Music at Harvard

Focuses on music analysis, emphasizing technical and formal aspects of 17th-century opera

Explores the history of opera from a cultural and performance perspective

Requires no prior musical experience, making it accessible to a wider audience

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Reviews summary

Historical opera analysis

Based on 1 review, students say that this course is a historical analysis of Monteverdi's L'Orfeo, one of the first operas ever written. The course analyzes the context and circumstances surrounding the creation of the opera, as well as its music.

Analyzes the music of L'Orfeo.

"It talks about context, circumstances about the creation of the opera and it analyzes the music too."

Explores the historical context surrounding the creation of L'Orfeo.

"It talks about context, circumstances about the creation of the opera..."

Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for First Nights - Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo and the Birth of Opera. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete First Nights - Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo and the Birth of Opera will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Opera Singer

Opera Singers perform in operas, which are sung dramas that are often based on mythology or history. The course, First Nights - Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo and the Birth of Opera, provides a deep understanding of the history, techniques, and form of opera, which can be extremely beneficial for an aspiring Opera Singer.

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Musicologist

Musicologists study the history and theory of music. The course, First Nights - Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo and the Birth of Opera, helps build a foundation in opera history and theory, which can be beneficial for Musicologists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Musicologist

Music Critic

Music Critics review and analyze musical performances and recordings. The course, First Nights - Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo and the Birth of Opera, can provide Music Critics with a deeper knowledge of opera, which can be beneficial for providing informed reviews and analyses of operas.

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Music Professor

Music Professors teach music theory, history, and performance at colleges and universities. The course, First Nights - Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo and the Birth of Opera, can be beneficial for Music Professors, as it provides a deep understanding of the history, techniques, and forms of opera.

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Music Teacher

Music Teachers instruct students in music theory, performance, and appreciation. This course, First Nights - Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo and the Birth of Opera, can help Music Teachers gain a better understanding of opera, which can be beneficial for teaching students about opera's history, techniques, and forms.

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Violinist

Violinists perform music on the violin. The course, First Nights - Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo and the Birth of Opera, may be of interest to Violinists who want to gain a broader understanding of opera, as it explores the history and techniques used in opera.

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Cellist

Cellists perform music on the cello. The course, First Nights - Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo and the Birth of Opera, may be of interest to Cellists who want to gain a broader understanding of opera, as it explores the history and techniques used in opera.

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Arts Educator

Arts Educators teach visual and performing arts in primary and secondary schools. The course, First Nights - Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo and the Birth of Opera, may help Arts Educators gain a deeper understanding of opera, which can be beneficial for incorporating opera into their lessons and teaching students about the history and forms of opera.

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Music Producer

Music Producers oversee the recording and production of music. The course, First Nights - Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo and the Birth of Opera, may be helpful for Music Producers who are interested in working on opera productions or recordings.

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Music Librarian

Music Librarians catalog, organize, and preserve music collections in libraries and archives. The course, First Nights - Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo and the Birth of Opera, may help Music Librarians develop a better understanding of opera, which can be beneficial for cataloging and preserving opera recordings and scores.

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Composer

Composers create new music. The course, First Nights - Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo and the Birth of Opera, may provide inspiration and insights for Composers, as it explores the techniques and forms used in opera.

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Pianist

Pianists perform music on the piano. The course, First Nights - Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo and the Birth of Opera, may be of interest to Pianists who want to gain a broader understanding of opera, as it explores the history and techniques used in opera.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pianist

Arts Manager

Arts Managers oversee the operations and management of arts organizations, such as theaters, museums, and orchestras. The course, First Nights - Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo and the Birth of Opera, may provide Arts Managers with a better understanding of opera production and management, which can be beneficial for running opera companies or other organizations involved in the production or presentation of operas.

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Arts Administrator

Arts Administrators manage the operations of arts organizations, such as theaters, museums, and orchestras. The course, First Nights - Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo and the Birth of Opera, may be helpful for Arts Administrators who work with opera companies or other organizations involved in the production or presentation of operas.

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Arts Fundraiser

Arts Fundraisers raise funds for arts organizations, such as theaters, museums, and orchestras. The course, First Nights - Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo and the Birth of Opera, may be helpful for Arts Fundraisers who work with opera companies or other organizations involved in the production or presentation of operas.

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Reading list

We've selected 30 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in First Nights - Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo and the Birth of Opera.

Brass Roots