2+ SELECTIONS (totaling about 60 min of music) COUNT AS ONE CONCERT)
Chopin, Piano Concerto no. 1 in E minor, op. 11: Daniil Trifonov & the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEFc-5Xturo
Saint-Saens, Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso (Viktor Tretyakov, violin)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHOYd-6Uszg
Each review must include the following:
1) Title and composer of each selection on the program.
2) Genre of each piece (opera?, aria?, recitative?, symphony movement?, sonata?, concerto?, etc.).
3) Style and historical context of each selection supported by listing musical features/elements typical for that style and historical period. Including date of composition helps.
4) Performers (include names) and your reaction to their performance.
5) Your personal understanding of the music.
6) The sources of information used for this report if any (program notes, books, articles, online sources).
1) Identify and describe the style, historical context/period, and principal musical features of each piece.
2) Include discussion of your perception. What did you find most striking and memorable? If you liked the piece, why? If not, why not?
3) Your report should demonstrate knowledge of stylistic context (what style, genres do you find, describe them).
4) Your report should demonstrate knowledge of historical context (in what historical period were the works written in, what elements, features of that period can be found in these works?).
5) Your report should use appropriate and specific vocabulary learned in class.
6) The more nuance, detail you include, the more advanced your report will be.
There are sample essays attatched below:
#1
Music 2302
November 22, 2016
Brett A. Lemus
Donizetti “Elixir of Love”
The Houston Grand Opera’s presentation of Donizetti’s Elixir of Love was a great
experience it was my very first time seeing an opera and I must say that I am very happy to have
had the opportunity to experience this event.
This concert was performed at the Wortham Theatre Center at 2:00 p.m. on October 23,
2016. I was very excited leaving the house to see the show, I would have liked to have my wife
go with me but she was in Italy on business with the kids. I was anxious to see the show as I
have never been to an opera. In route to the show I was pondering what it would be like and I
tried to imagine how this show would turn out. I thought to myself why I hadn’t gone to an
opera while I was living in Italy, it just never crossed my mind. I lived there for six years and
never thought once about going. I was never brought up to appreciate the arts and sometimes
wished I would have learned more about them growing up. I find the arts to have a divine
connection. The sounds of classical
music feel divine as if coming from the heavens.
As I arrived to the theatre I immediately notice the elegance of the building and the
people were dressed so elegantly it was an environment like no other. I received my ticket from
any instructor and proceeded to the lobby and had a fine tasting prosecco reminding me of my
time I had in Italy one of my favorite drinks. I hung around conversation with a few people here
and there and was very impressed with the classiness and etiquette of those around me it was a
very respectful environment and really did set a tone for the evening and the show to come. I
waited for the show about thirty minutes and then proceeded to my seat when the small
xylophone began to play a signal for all to take their seats. As I looked for my seat I saw some
young folks and I assumed they were fellow students who were there to watch the show. The
mood was starting to set in it was a relaxed environment the seats were high and far back not the
best seats but they were not bad at all the stage was easily seen from the angle. As I
accommodated myself I noticed the orchestra fine tuning themselves and preparing for the show
it was very nice to see.
The show was soon to start, I could tell because a cascade of people came in through the
doors and began to take their seats. It was a bit awkward for me since I was by myself, I am not
usually by myself and I felt a bit lonely to be honest. I felt like I might be able to start a
conversation with someone but it was getting late and the show was about to start all those
feelings went away when the conductor appeared and the crowd began to applaud. The orchestra
had finished tuning themselves and were ready to start the show. It was nice seeing the band get
ready as it reminded me of my days in High School band when I was playing the alto saxophone.
The stage was absolutely beautiful a setting that I am fortunate to be familiar with as I have been
blessed to have seen the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy and I can say it looked very similar to it
as close as an opera stage could get to it.
As the show began I could see a lady walking around and I immediately began to think
that she would be one of the main stars of the show. I took a look at the program that was given
to me at the entrance and read that that the lady was Adina played by Nicole Heaston one of the
main characters. The setting was her hotel Adina Hotel she was the owner. The play began
beautifully with the stage filling up with many performers all assimilating a typical Italian
restaurant-hotel scene. Nemorino played by Dimitri Pittas sang his first aria beginning the story
on his love for Adina and how she would never pay any attention to him since she was rich and
he was poor. I was very satisfied to know that the opera was sung out in the Italian language
being that I am fluent in Italian I understood what they were saying it just made the whole
experience so much better. As the opera played along I began to realize what was going on
Nemorino would search for a way to get Adina to love him. The appearance of Captain Belcore
changed story around and really added context to the story making it much more interesting. I
thought that the performers were great and really brought to light for me what an opera is all
about and how engaging it is with the audience. It was amazing for me to see how through a
combination of music and acting the audience can get engaged with a story and with the beauty
of classical music.
As the story progressed I really appreciated the performance by Doctor Dulcamara played
by Patrick Carfizzi and how he made it very comical with the elixir, Nemorino really believed it
would work for him it was very comical. The bass, tenor, and soprano were easily identifiable
during the show Captain Belcore with the Bass, Nemorino with the tenor and Adina as a soprano.
The surrounding supporting performers were very important to the opera as they really provided
some great visuals and brought to life a scene which felt realistic and really made me feel as if I
were there. I thought the performance by the supporting performers was great as they would set
the tone for each scene and really compliment the lead actors.
As the opera progressed I started to get a better feel for the opera as it was becoming
clearer that it wasn’t based so much on a tragedy but on a comical love story that was developing
through Nemorino rivaling Captain Belcore for Adina. It was very interesting to see how the
changes in attire, lighting and music would really set the mood for each scene. Reading the
subtitles was not bad at all and although the translation did not give the full expression of the
Italian language which is to be expected, but it did guide us through the story which is most
important. There were times throughout the opera that were very gratifying to me since I know
the language and I could really get the humor out of many of the lines, but I did notice that the
Italian accents were not accurate. I imagine they are for the most part American performers and
it may be difficult for them to pronounce many of the words however I was still impressed. I did
not know there would be an intermission something that I think is great giving the audience a
chance to get something to drink and a chance to go to the restroom. The intermission practice is
something I first experienced in Italy in the movie theaters something I think would be nice if
they did here in America. So I decided to have another prosecco as I told my wife how nice the
show was and then proceeded back to the theatre a few minutes afterwards.
I was anxious to see the final stretch of the show I was well invested into it and wanted to
see what developed. I noticed how the dynamics changed through the final run of the show and
how the expressions were amplified giving a crescendo feel as the show was coming towards its
climax. The story had a twist to it when Nemorino’s uncle passed away and he was left with a
large sum of money through inheritance. It was funny to see the reactions of all the ladies as
they found out that he was now a rich man and how he unknowing of his inheritance believed
that it was all a cause of Doctor Dulcamara’s supposed elixir which had no magical power at all.
Adina would go on to fall in love with Nemorino leaving Captain Belcore on the sidelines
although he nearly married Adina and tried to get Nemorino to join his Navy to distract him from
his quest to win over Adina’s love. The entire opera felt comical to me and really was intriguing
throughout. I thought to myself it must take a great deal of effort to put together a production of
this caliber. I was thinking to myself the whole time the amount of training these artist go
through to be qualified to perform at this level, it was great.
I can now say that I have an opera bug and that I will definitely be going back to see
more shows. It was absolutely amazing being that it was my very first time that I had gone to an
opera. The artistic display is like no other and the combination of a live orchestra, beautiful
vocals, and great acting make the experience like no other. Entertainment was not bad at all back
in the old days. I see how people really looked forward to seeing the latest productions and how
this form of entertainment really has connection to the people. There is definitely a divinity to
this form of art and I am glad that I have gotten to see a form of art that is not as glorified as it
once was but definitely should be. I am convinced that I will be returning for many years to
enjoy more operas in the future.
#2
Music Appreciation
Verdi: Il trovatore
My first ever experience at Houston’s Opera, any opera, for that matter was
absolutely exquisite. I had many stereotypes that were surely busted once the
doors closed and the lights dimmed. I had the pleasure of seeing Il Trovatore at
Houston’s Wortham Center on the 26th of April First, I purchased the tickets for
my wife and I to have a nice evening out together while also getting credit for
class; I cannot think of a better win-win situation. As the opera neared, my wife
had to schedule other plans and I was a bit upset I would have to attend the
production alone. I ended up inviting a friend at the last minute and to my
surprise he was ecstatic to attend his first opera experience as well with me. We
both arrived early hoping to get our tickets quickly and then go get some food
prior to the start of the opera. I was told that the doors close on time and that we
would not be allowed in once it started if we were late. Our tickets were not there
yet and the time allowed to eat was dwindling quickly. I attempted to go upstairs
to purchase food at the Wortham building, but I was told that you must have a
ticket to go upstairs; which is where the restrooms were also positioned. Once
our tickets arrived my friend and I rushed upstairs to get some food. By the time
we ordered and it was prepared and then brought to our table; we heard the 5
minute warning. We both scarfed as much as possible and ran to the opera
house in order to not be shut out. We hurried to our excellent positioned seats
and waited to take in something that we were not prepared for.
As the lights dimmed, the audience started to applaud and I could not see why.
Eventually, we saw the orchestra’s Maestro, Patrick Summers, appear. I assume
the balcony seats were able to see him first prompting the early applause. Once
the Maestro started the production, I was in complete shock! It was absolutely
amazing! He flung his arms around with such finesse at times and then would
transition to throwing his arms with such vigor. I was simply impressed purely by
his movements. Once the full opera joined the music, I was once again taken a
back because I was unaware that operas are similar to a play or dramatic piece. I
had the impression performers stood still on stage and sang along with the
orchestra. I had the assumption I would be bored and struggling to stay awake,
but the contrary. I was so glued to the stage and wide eyed; I was astonished
from the start all the way to the end of the production and ready to experience my
next one. The production was in Italian, which from what I understand is what
most operas are performed in, and subtitled in English. At times it was easy to
keep up with what was going on stage because the repetition of the words sang
versus the subtitles; yet at other times when the characters were having
conversation I was glued to the action on stage and would forget to continuously
check the subtitles; surprisingly I was able to keep up with the story line even
though I could not understand the words. The surprise in the story line with the
mix up between the two young boys and the Gypsy actually raising the Count’s
son, Manrico, until he is killed and she then shouts that her mother finally has
had her revenge was excellent. I truly wanted to be in a balcony seat because I
was unable to observe the orchestra which was located in front of the stage, but
below ground level. From what I did get to observe after the performance was
over, the musical ensemble was smaller than I anticipated. I have not been to a
live orchestra either, but I have seen pictures and movies which allude to a much
larger collection of instruments and performers. Although the ensemble was
smaller than anticipated, they were dressed as I assumed; all wearing black, men
most in tuxedos and the women in dresses or slacks. The music sounded string
biased with a wonderful complement of some wind and brass. One of the main
female characters, Lenora, sang in the soprano range and was wonderful to
experience. Her change in dynamics and ability to express different inflections
when duplicating the pieces was magical. Manrico, the count’s son, the
troubadour, sang in the pitch of tenor, which I was confused on because I
thought he sounded more like a baritone range to me. I
find it amazing that these burley men are able to reach such high ranges. The
Gypsy has a wonderful range and was able to be a few octaves higher than
Lenora, which puts her in a higher range, mezzo-soprano. The count was deeper
and in the baritone range. The two main male performers complimented each
other superbly in my opinion and being they were in two different ranges, it was
great to listen to them sing in conjunction. Rounding out the main performers is
Ferrando, which I took to be the Count’s main military leader. He was the first to
perform as the show started and is in the lowest range of the performers, a bass.
It was satisfying to hear the bass performer first because it was closer to the
assumption I had in mind when it comes to my initial vision of the male opera
performer.
The wonderful duets, trios, and works by the chorus kept me on the
edge of my seat all night. I initially asked myself how I would endure an
approximated run time 2 hours and 45 minutes, but shortly after the lights
dimmed to start the performance the curtain dropped for intermission. Once
back in our seats for the remaining acts the show was over before I knew it. It
was a wonderful experience and I surely will be back.
What I must say, with my little knowledge of the musical world, I do
know it is suggested to be able to perform to your full potential and reach your
full range that you are capable, you should stand. I observed these performers
not only performing at their full potential while standing, but also in difficult
positions as laying down and sitting and they were still able to project their voices
and hit very impressive notes. Also, there is no electronic help that is provided to
these performers. I thought they would all be wearing some kind of microphone
or some kind of electronic device to help the whole house hear well due to the
size of the performance hall. All these performers sang naturally and everyone in
the house was able to experience the performance as they were in the first row. I
am absolutely impressed with the reduced orchestra, the composer, and all the
voice talent. I am glad this assignment opened my eyes to the wonderful world of
classical performances.
#3
How I was converted to an Opera Believer Dread.
An unmeasurable amount of dread is what I started feeling when I realized I
would have to attend an opera as one of my assignments. I consider myself a
very unpretentious person, and unfortunately, opera aficionado is not part of
my description. I knew this would be something that would cause me to step
out of my circle of comfort. It would be unchartered territory, and having no
experience in this realm of music before, I had no idea what I was getting
into. My only connection to Mozart and his music is the classical playlist
that I have when I put my baby to sleep. However, after being an audience
member at the Houston Grand Opera’s rendition of Mozart’s “The Marriage
of Figaro”, I can honestly say, that although I am still not an opera
aficionado, I have been converted and will gladly enjoy an opera
occasionally.
To begin my journey into my opera conversion started with my wife’s
enthusiasm over this particular assignment. As an ELA teacher, she has been
part of the humanities circle for a while and has enjoyed the theater district a
lot more often than I have. When given the choice to attend with my
classmates, or with my wife, I decided to invite her to be part of my journey
since she wouldn’t stop going on and on about shows she had seen in the
past. As much as she had experience in this area of artistic expression, she
too had never gone to see this particular opera. We both didn’t know what
we were about to encounter once we stepped inside the theater. To not ruin
our experience, my wife did not allow me, nor did she allow herself, to read
anything about “The Marriage of Figaro”. We were to go into this opera
with no set ideas, preconceive notions, or preset thoughts of what to expect.
It was going to be a memorable experience for both of us one, way or
another. I have never stepped foot inside the Wortham Center.
As a native Houstonian, who lived about 10 minutes away the majority of
his life, my wife said I should be considered a travesty. I had no idea of what
to expect, what was to come or how to behave. The sense of doom continued
to deepen when my wife donned on a new dress, heels and make up. Not
only would I have to sacrifice four hours on a Sunday afternoon, (did I
mention that it was Superbowl Sunday; and I am a football aficionado, some
say it might even be my passion?) but now I had to wear dress clothes as
well? With the thought that if I am going to do this, might as well get it over
with, I rushed my wife along and proceeded to head towards Houston’s very
own theater district located in the heart of downtown. Each minute that
passed, was a minute closer to my doom. I was getting anxious and more
uncomfortable as we drew closer. In contrast, my wife’s smile kept getting
bigger and bigger the closer we got.
My wife guided me to park in the underground parking lot right across the
Wortham Center. This too was a labyrinth, an unknown land, and the lower
we got into the parking lot, the more lost I seemed to get. Normally, I am
very good with directions. Stick me in the middle of nowhere with a
paperclip and shoestring and I can McGyver my way out of there. Yet, here I
was in the middle of an underground parking lot, in the heart of Downtown
Houston, and I could not tell the difference between up and down or left and
right. I saw nice cars, nicely dressed couples holding hands, fathers in tuxes
leading the way to equally adorned sons, mothers in pearls holding the hands
of beautiful little princesses and here I was, dreading to step out of my car.
My wife capped her lip gloss, smiled at me and asked if I was ready. I was
not. To continue the sense of doom, how was I supposed to get out of the
parking lot and into the Wortham Center? Again, I was lucky to have my
wife. She taught me the secret of the underground; the tunnel that connects
you from the parking lot right to smack in the middle of the lobby of the
Wortham Center. Her enthusiasm was palpable, felt in each bouncy step she
took. My dread had me sinking and stumbling over my own feet. Her smile,
normally contagious, could only get a small wisps of a smile from my own
face. I thought to myself, it’s only three hours left. The worst that can
happen is that I will have spent three boring hours next to my wife, (the
weekend before Valentine’s Day) and I have just scored major points. This
thought gave me hope.
My Sunday was beginning to look up after all. We took our seats. We were
seated in the center section, thirteen rows behind the orchestra. Being inside
the theater, I was starting to absorb it all. The orchestra members were
tuning their instruments as my mind began to sync itself to the violin. The
dynamics started to blend into one sound. I realized that the violin was not
playing to my ears, but it was touching my heart. The curtain was raised and
the audience drew in a unanimous breath.
The music started and I couldn’t help but close my eyes. I was no longer an
audience member in a very famous rendition of an Opera; no, I was alone
floating on a melodious cloud, where the winds that carried me where the
sounds from the string instruments. The cacophony that was flowing from
the orchestra pit helped me understand the Italian Opera. Even though I do
not speak Italian, the crescendos, the buildup and the rhythms created a
world that I was now part of.
As Figaro started making wedding plans with Susanna, I was engulfed in the
story line unfolding before my eyes. The ensemble and the angelic tones
only added to the drama going on stage. Was Susanna really being unfaithful
to Figaro with Count Almaviva? Was Countess Almaviva really that dense
and love sick? The director’s hands flailed about in a madness that seemed
to have no sense of direction. His arms went this way, and that way and only
seemed to be random flailing of arms. However, what I didn’t realize before
and only started to realize at that moment, was that the director was actually
only enhanced the musicality coming out of the orchestra pit. The timbres of
the trumpets, mixed in with the vibrations from the violins enhanced the
confusion of the Count’s courtship of an engaged woman. I couldn’t help but
be swept away with the emotions emanating from the stage, and smiles,
gasps and amusement crept on my face.
As the music and storyline progressed, I became part of what was going on
in the life of Figaro and those who surrounded him. Before I knew it, the
curtain was lowered to allow for the intermission. Time was flying by. Since
the story was already unfolding before our eyes, I was able to start reading
the program and was pleasantly surprised to see that a cast member was a
fellow Latina, Aylin Perez as the Countess Almaviva . It filled me with a
sense of pride to see someone from my culture being able to lead an
audience through such an emotional journey with her voice aided by the tone
set by the musical ensemble. It brought to mind how in the future, I would
want to be a tuxedo dressed dad guiding his little tuxedo dressed son to
experience Mozart in more than just his bedtime playlist.
The lights dimmed and the second portion of the opera was about to begin. I
saw that the director took his place on his podium and I eagerly anticipated
the conclusion wanting to know if Figaro would marry Susanna after all. If I
thought the first half was funny, I wasn’t ready for the humor that was
awaiting me in the second half. The director’ guided the ensemble to create
diverse tempos that heightened the humorous antics of Cherubino. The rise
and fall of the composition had me guffawing when Figaro found out that his
mother had previously attempted to coax him into marriage. The repetition
of Marcellina and Dr. Bartolo proclamation of being Figaro’s parents, was
also repeated in the music. Each repetition was met with laughter from the
audience. If it hadn’t been for the music, I do believe that the humor in that
situation would have fell flat. In the end, Figaro, Susanna and Countess
Almaviva were able to in a conniving manner trick Count Almaviva into
admitting the error of his ways. Mozart, in my professional opinion, is a
musical genius. The director was able to guide the orchestra and all of those
magical instruments to create a world that enthralled the viewer. Without the
different dynamics of the musical ensemble to help set the tone of what was
going on the stage, “The Marriage of Figaro” wouldn’t have had such a
powerful vivacity.
I am now converted and will listen to my wife when she wants to go watch
more operas, symphonies and other classical music performances. I can say
that I have experience Mozart in far more powerful ways than just putting
my baby to sleep. The dread no longer exists. In fact, I believe deep down in
my heart that if I have to do another assignment of the similar fashion, I
would be filled with excitement. In the end, Figaro gets married to Susanna.
Count Almaviva and Countess Almaviva reconcile. Cherubino and
Barbarina end up as a couple. Macerillina and Dr. Bartolo finally get
married. And my wife and I, also lived happily ever after.