Introduction to Italian Opera from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Act I, Scene 1 (Week 1) - Mozart and Close Listening

This module utilizes Mozart’s opera Le Nozze di Figaro to explore opera and close listening in detail.

Act I, Scene 2 (Week 2) - Italian opera before Mozart

This module introduces you to the origin of opera. It also utilizes Monteverdi's L’Orfeo to distinguish different styles in opera from one era to another.

Act I, Scene 3 (Week 3) - Conventions in Italian opera

This module discusses the purpose of specific operatic conventions in the overture, arias, recitative, finales, choruses, cantabile-cabaletta, and instrumental interludes. It also utilizes various approaches on how music conveys the drama.

Act II, Scene 1 (Week 4) - The bel canto era

This module introduces you to the bel canto era in Italian Opera. It also utilizes Rossini's Il barbiere di Siviglia to explore the bel canto style.

Act II, Scene 2 (Week 5) - Verdi

This module discusses the contribution of Giuseppi Verdi in the bel canto era. It also gives you an understanding of Verdi’s influence from Rossini’s work.

Act II, Scene 3 (Week 6) - Puccini and his contemporaries

This module discusses how Puccini and his contemporaries challenge history and conventions in Italian opera. It also discusses his presence in the regular repertoire of Italian opera.

FAQs

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces students to the origin of opera

Helps students understand how Mozart’s opera is a turning point for opera

Facilitates understanding of how music communicates the character's feelings

Highlights the importance of attentive listening for opera appreciation

Covers the bel canto era and its influence on Italian Opera

Provides a comprehensive overview of Italian Opera from its inception to the 20th century

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 Introduction to Italian Opera with these activities:

Explore online tutorials on opera history and terminology

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Expand your knowledge of opera history, genres, and terminology.

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Identify online resources for opera history tutorials.
Watch tutorials on different opera genres and styles.
Learn about common opera terms and their meanings.

Create a personal style profile

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Build a foundation for understanding opera.

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Identify your preferred musical styles (e.g., classical, pop, jazz).
Research and familiarize yourself with major categories of opera.
Create a list of operas that you find engaging and interesting.

Read an article about the history of Italian opera (specifically, about the Baroque era)

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Helps provide a firm understanding of Italian opera's roots and conventions.

Browse courses on Baroque

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Choose an article from a reputable source, like the Metropolitan Opera website or Britannica.
Read the article carefully, taking notes on the key events and developments in Italian opera's Baroque period.
Think about how the Baroque style and conventions of the time shaped the development of Italian opera.

Four other activities

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Assist fellow students with opera concepts and discussions

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Reinforce your own understanding while helping others grasp opera concepts.

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Review the course materials regularly.
Participate actively in online discussions and forums.
Offer guidance and support to peers who have questions.

Practice recognizing different types of arias (e.g., aria di bravura, aria accompagnato, aria d'azione).

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Allows you to gain mastery over identifying and differentiating different types of Italian arias.

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Use recordings or videos of various operas to identify different types of arias.
Pay attention to the vocal style, instrumentation, and dramatic context of each aria.
Practice categorizing arias according to their type, taking note of their distinct features.

Read Verdi: A Biography

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Gain insights into Verdi's life, contributions, and relevance in Italian Opera.

View Puccini: A Biography on Amazon

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Read chapters related to Verdi's early life and musical education.
Summarize Verdi's artistic journey and major operas.
Reflect on Verdi's impact on Italian opera.

Write a short essay on the evolution of opera

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Reflect on the transformation of opera throughout history, analyzing its various styles and influences.

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Research the evolution of opera from its origins to contemporary times.
Discuss the key changes in musical style, themes, and production techniques.
Analyze the influence of historical events and social contexts on opera's development.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Italian Opera will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Opera Singer

Opera Singers perform leading roles in operas. This course introduces one to Italian Opera. It could be a good starting place for learning the fundamentals of opera, which an Opera Singer performs in.

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Music Teacher

Music Teachers instruct students in music. This course focuses on teaching beginners the basics of Italian Opera. It could be a helpful place to start for a Music Teacher who wants to understand this style of opera.

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Music Director

Music Directors oversee all aspects of musical productions. This course provides background on essential Italian Operas, such as Le Nozze di Figaro and L’Orfeo. This background could be helpful for a Music Director who wishes to produce operas.

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Composer

Composers create original music. This course discusses the various styles found in Italian Opera, such as bel canto and cantabile-cabaletta. This exposure to different styles could be helpful for a composer who wishes to compose in the opera style.

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Music Historian

Music Historians study and write about the history of music. This course focuses on Italian Opera in particular. Taking this course could help a Music Historian develop a strong foundation in the history of a notable genre of music.

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Artistic Director

Artistic Directors make artistic decisions for performing arts organizations. This course covers the history of Italian Opera, which could be helpful for an Artistic Director who wants to make informed artistic decisions.

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Concertmaster

Concertmasters lead an orchestra's string section. This course discusses the close listening that goes into opera, such as listening to the character's thoughts through musical gestures. This knowledge could be helpful for a Concertmaster who wants to learn how to more effectively convey emotion through their music.

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Music Critic

Music Critics write reviews and articles about music. This course gives students an introduction to Italian Opera. Taking this course could help a Music Critic develop a strong foundation in opera.

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Music Librarian

Music Librarians organize and manage music libraries. This course discusses the history and conventions of Italian Opera. Understanding the history and conventions of opera could be helpful for a Music Librarian who wishes to specialize in this genre of music.

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Music Journalist

Music Journalists write articles about music. This course gives students an introduction to Italian Opera. Taking this course could help a Music Journalist develop a strong foundation in opera.

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Music Editor

Music Editors edit music for publication. This course discusses the conventions and history of Italian Opera. Understanding the conventions and history of opera could be helpful for a Music Editor who wishes to specialize in this genre of music.

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Arts Administrator

Arts Administrators manage the administrative aspects of arts organizations. This course covers the history and conventions of Italian Opera. Understanding the history and conventions of opera could be helpful for an Arts Administrator who wishes to specialize in this genre of music.

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Music Therapist

Music Therapists use music to help people improve their health and well-being. This course discusses the history and conventions of Italian Opera. Understanding the history and conventions of opera could be helpful for a Music Therapist who wishes to specialize in using opera in their work.

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Music Producer

Music Producers oversee the recording and production of music. This course discusses the history and conventions of Italian Opera. Understanding the history and conventions of opera could be helpful for a Music Producer who wishes to specialize in this genre of music.

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Music Arranger

Music Arrangers adapt music for different instruments or ensembles. This course discusses the history and conventions of Italian Opera. Understanding the history and conventions of opera could be helpful for a Music Arranger who wishes to specialize in this genre of music.

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