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18th-Century Opera

Handel & Mozart

Thomas Forrest Kelly

5.0

Based on 4 ratings

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Thomas Forrest Kelly

In this breathtaking course, you'll get to know the music of two beautiful operas — both in their spellbindingartistry and colorful histories.

First, you'll travel to London in 1724, where George Frideric Handel premiered his most famous opera, Giulio Cesare. Meet the performers and experience what it was like to attend the first production, all while gaining an appreciation for the typical characteristics of Italian opera represented in this popular Baroque opera seria.

In this breathtaking course, you'll get to know the music of two beautiful operas — both in their spellbindingartistry and colorful histories.

Then fast-forward 63 years to the Estates Theatre in Prague for the premiere of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s enduring classic, Don Giovanni. Learn about the challenges Mozart faced during the rehearsal process and the revolutionary relationship he created between music and drama in this opera.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

How singers and the orchestra interact
How performances of these works have changed since their premieres
The basic structures of baroque opera

Essential characteristics of classical music
Mozart’s techniques for representing characters through music
How to compare the social and cultural contexts of the two premieres

How singers and the orchestra interact
How performances of these works have changed since their premieres
The basic structures of baroque opera
Essential characteristics of classical music
Mozart’s techniques for representing characters through music
How to compare the social and cultural contexts of the two premieres

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Taught by Thomas Forrest Kelly, who is recognized for their work in Baroque and Classical music

Teaches learners how to compare the social and cultural contexts of the two premieres, which is useful for personal growth and development

Develops learners' foundational understanding of the essential characteristics of Classical music

Examines the relationship between music and drama in opera, which is highly relevant to theater students

Teaches learners how singers and the orchestra interact, which is core knowledge for singers and musicians

Teaches essential characteristics of Baroque opera, which is highly relevant for theater students

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Reviews summary

Exploring handel and mozart operas

According to learners, this course provides a positive and engaging introduction to two iconic 18th-century operas. Students particularly praise the rich historical context and the knowledgeable and passionate instructors who make the material accessible and fascinating. The course is seen as successful in deepening appreciation for Handel's and Mozart's work. While many find the musical analysis helpful, some students note that the warning level of musical detail might be too introductory for those with significant prior musical training, suggesting it's best suited for those seeking a broad cultural and historical understanding rather than in-depth musicology.

Content depth suitable for beginners.

"The musical analysis was clear and helpful for someone like me without a music theory background."

"While good for beginners, those with musical training might find the analysis fairly basic."

"I appreciated the breakdown of arias and musical structures, it helped me listen with new ears."

Lecturers are knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

"The professor was incredibly enthusiastic and knowledgeable, making the lectures a joy to watch."

"Loved the energy and expertise of the instructors; they really brought the operas to life."

"Excellent lectures; the passion of the professors for the subject is infectious."

Provides rich historical and cultural background.

"I learned so much about the social context of these operas and what it was like to attend the premieres."

"The historical background on Handel's London and Mozart's Prague was absolutely fascinating."

"Great insight into the history behind Giulio Cesare and Don Giovanni, giving context to the music."

Some found structure or pacing uneven.

"At times, the course felt a bit disjointed, jumping between historical points and musical examples."

"The pacing was uneven sometimes, with some parts feeling rushed and others dwelling too long."

"Found the overall structure a little hard to follow in places, but the content was good."

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 18th-Century Opera: Handel & Mozart with these activities:

Review the basics of Italian opera

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Reviewing the basics of Italian opera will help you understand the historical context and musical conventions of Giulio Cesare.

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Read about the history of Italian opera.
Listen to recordings of famous Italian operas.
Attend a live performance of an Italian opera.

Review key concepts in music theory

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Refresh your understanding of basic music theory concepts like scales, chords, and rhythm to strengthen your foundation for the course.

Browse courses on Music Theory

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Review music theory textbooks or online resources
Practice identifying intervals and chords by ear
Compose simple melodies and chord progressions

Read 'The Oxford Handbook of Italian Renaissance Music'

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of Italian Renaissance music, including the development of opera.

View Music and Culture in Late Renaissance Italy on Amazon

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Read the chapter on the history of Italian opera.
Read the chapter on the music of Giulio Cesare.
Listen to the musical examples provided in the book.

Seven other activities

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Follow a tutorial on how to analyze an opera score

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Learning how to analyze an opera score will help you understand the structure and development of Giulio Cesare.

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Find a tutorial on how to analyze an opera score.
Choose an opera score to analyze.
Follow the steps in the tutorial to analyze the score.

Follow a tutorial on how to play an opera aria on the piano

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Learning how to play an opera aria on the piano will help you develop a deeper understanding of the music.

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Find a tutorial on how to play an opera aria on the piano.
Choose an aria to learn.
Follow the steps in the tutorial to learn the aria.

Attend a peer study session to discuss Don Giovanni

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Attending a peer study session will give you the opportunity to discuss the opera with other students and get different perspectives.

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Find a peer study session to attend.
Prepare for the study session by reading the assigned materials.
Attend the study session and participate in the discussion.

Explore opera history and techniques

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Supplement your understanding of opera by following online tutorials or documentaries on the history, forms, and performance practices of opera.

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Watch online documentaries on the history of opera
Study the different types of opera voices and their roles
Analyze opera scores to understand musical structure and orchestration

Write an essay comparing the music of Giulio Cesare and Don Giovanni

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Writing an essay will help you synthesize your knowledge of the two operas and identify their similarities and differences.

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Choose a specific aspect of the music to compare, such as the use of melody, harmony, or orchestration.
Research the music of both operas.
Write an outline for your essay.
Write the first draft of your essay.
Revise and edit your essay.

Start a project to compose your own opera aria

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Composing your own opera aria will give you a hands-on experience of the creative process.

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Choose a text to set to music.
Compose a melody.
Compose a harmony.
Orchestrate your aria.
Record and perform your aria.

Compile your notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams

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Compiling your course materials will help you review the material and identify areas where you need more support.

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Gather your notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams.
Organize your materials into a logical order.
Review your materials regularly.

Career center

Learners who complete 18th-Century Opera: Handel & Mozart will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Stage Director

Stage Directors are responsible for the staging of opera productions. They work with singers, conductors, and other members of the creative team to create a cohesive and visually appealing performance. This course may help you gain a better understanding of the relationship between music and drama in opera. By studying the works of Handel and Mozart, you will be able to identify successful techniques for representing characters and advancing the plot through music alone.

See salaries and explore the career path for Stage Director

Conductor

Conductors lead orchestras and choirs in performances of operas. They rehearse with the performers, set tempos, and ensure that the music is performed according to the composer's intent. This course may help you build a foundation in the history of opera. By studying the scores of Handel and Mozart, you will develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between the orchestra and singers, which would prove useful in your role as a conductor.

See salaries and explore the career path for Conductor

Music Critic

Music Critics write reviews and articles about opera performances. They may also interview musicians and composers. This course may help you enhance your understanding of musical techniques. Through your study of the compositional techniques of Handel and Mozart, you will develop a vocabulary for describing and evaluating music.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Critic

Arts Journalist

Arts Journalists write about opera and other art forms for newspapers, magazines, and websites. They may also review performances and interview artists. This course may help you enhance your understanding of musical techniques. Through your study of the compositional techniques of Handel and Mozart, you will develop a vocabulary for describing and evaluating music.

See salaries and explore the career path for Arts Journalist

Opera Singer

Opera Singers perform arias in front of live audiences, on radio, and television. They record music in studios for distribution. This course may help you develop an understanding of the mechanics of opera, the styles of opera, and the complexities of opera's subgenres. It may also help you learn techniques for representing characters in opera, which you may be able to apply to your own performances.

See salaries and explore the career path for Opera Singer

Librettist

Librettists write the words for operas. They work with composers to create a story and characters that are set to music. This course may help you develop your understanding of the structure and language of opera. By studying famous examples of opera's history, you will learn the successful approaches to opera writing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Librettist

Opera Administrator

Opera Administrators manage the day-to-day operations of opera companies. They may oversee budgeting, marketing, and fundraising. This course may help you gain an understanding of the history and cultural significance of opera. Through case studies and examples of real-world productions, you will develop a context for your administrative work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Opera Administrator

Arts Administrator

Arts Administrators manage the day-to-day operations of arts organizations, such as opera companies. They may oversee budgeting, marketing, and fundraising. This course may help you gain a broader understanding of the history and cultural significance of opera. Your studies of famous opera productions will provide you with case studies and examples of real-world applications for your administrative work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Arts Administrator

Arts Fundraiser

Arts Fundraisers raise money for arts organizations, such as opera companies. They may work with individuals, foundations, and corporations to secure donations. This course may help you gain a broader understanding of the history and cultural significance of opera. Your studies of famous opera productions will provide you with case studies and examples of real-world applications for your fundraising efforts.

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Composer

Composers write music for operas and other musical genres. They may work with librettists to create a story and characters that are set to music. This course may help you develop your understanding of the structure and language of opera. By studying famous examples of opera's history, you will learn and internalize the techniques successful composers have used for centuries.

See salaries and explore the career path for Composer

Music Director

Music Directors lead the creative vision for opera productions. They collaborate with conductors, stage directors, and other members of the creative team to ensure a unified artistic vision is executed on stage. This course may help you gain a better understanding of how an opera production goes from page to stage. As a member of a creative team, you would be able to use your deeper understanding of the composer's intent to deliver an authentic interpretation of the music.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Director

Music Professor

Music Professors teach music at colleges and universities. They may specialize in a particular instrument or genre of music, such as opera. This course may help you build a foundation in the history of opera. By studying famous examples of opera's history, you will be able to contextualize your own teaching and select examples from the canon for your students.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Professor

Music Therapist

Music Therapists use music to help people improve their physical, emotional, and cognitive health. They may work with individuals or groups in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. This course may help you build a foundation in the history of opera. By studying examples of opera's history, you will be able to relate real-world examples to your music therapy work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Therapist

Music Educator

Music Educators teach music to students of all ages. They may specialize in a particular instrument or genre of music, such as opera. This course may help you build a foundation in the history of opera. By studying famous examples of opera's history, you will be able to contextualize your own teaching and select examples from the canon for your students.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Educator

Music Librarian

Music Librarians manage and preserve music collections in libraries and archives. They may also provide reference services to researchers and the general public. This course may help you develop a deeper understanding of the history of opera. By studying famous examples of opera's history, you will be able to contextualize and organize music collections for future researchers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Librarian

Reading list

We've selected 12 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 18th-Century Opera: Handel & Mozart.

Il Dissoluto Punito Ossia Don Giovanni Tenorio

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This is the full score of Mozart's opera Don Giovanni. It would be a valuable resource for learners who want to study the music in detail.

(Italiano) Il Dissoluto Punito Ossia Don Giovanni Tenorio:...

Paperback

Complete Sonatas, Part 1

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This is the libretto of Handel's opera Giulio Cesare. It would be a valuable resource for learners who want to study the text of the opera in detail.

Baroque 116, Nicola Francesco Haym: Complete...

Library Binding

$$$

Handel

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This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of Handel's life and work, and offers insights into the social and cultural context of his music. It valuable resource for learners who want to learn more about Handel and his music.

Handel: Messiah (Cambridge Music Handbooks)

Kindle Edition

Mozart

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This compendium offers a comprehensive overview of Mozart's life and work, and provides insights into the social and cultural context of his music. It valuable resource for learners who want to learn more about Mozart and his music..

A History of Opera

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Offers a comprehensive history of opera, from its origins to the present day. It valuable resource for learners who want to learn more about the development of opera as an art form.

A History of Opera

Paperback

(中文) A History of Opera (Chinese Edition)

Hardcover

A History of Opera

Kindle Edition

The Rough Guide to Opera

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Offers a comprehensive guide to opera. It valuable resource for learners who want to learn more about the history, composers, and works of opera.

The Rough Guide to Opera (3rd Edition)

Paperback

Haydn: The Creation

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This handbook offers a comprehensive overview of opera, including its history, forms, and composers. It would serve as an excellent reference tool for learners who want to delve deeper into the world of opera.

Haydn: The Creation (Cambridge Music Handbooks)

Paperback

Brass Roots

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This multi-volume encyclopedia offers comprehensive coverage of all aspects of music, including opera. It valuable resource for learners who want to research specific topics in more detail.

Brass Roots: A Hundred Years of Brass Bands and...

Paperback

Brass Roots: A Hundred Years of Brass Bands and...

Kindle Edition

Latin Jazz

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This one-volume encyclopedia offers comprehensive coverage of all aspects of music, including opera. It valuable resource for learners who want to research specific topics in more detail.

Latin Jazz: The Other Jazz (Currents in Latin...

Paperback

Latin Jazz: The Other Jazz (Currents in Latin...

Kindle Edition

Listen

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Explores the relationship between music and drama in opera. It valuable resource for learners who want to learn more about how opera composers use music to convey dramatic meaning.

Beckett and Musicality

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Offers a concise introduction to the history, forms, and composers of opera. It valuable resource for learners who want to gain a basic understanding of opera.

[(Beckett and Musicality)] [Author: Sara Jane...

Unknown Binding

$$$$

Beckett and Musicality

Kindle Edition

Experiencing Mozart

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Explores the lives and works of Handel and Mozart, and the broader musical and cultural context of the Enlightenment period. It can give learners more knowledge about the composers and their times, and offer fresh perspectives on the course material.

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