MUM4130

Theatrical music

Carol Williams

12 points
* 3 hours per week
* Second semester
* Clayton

Objectives On successful completion of the unit, students should have an understanding of the complexity of the relationship between a dramatic text and its musical setting in the theatre as well as a number of methods of analytical inquiry which can be applied specifically to theatrical music.

Synopsis The major focus of the subject will be on the history and repertoire of opera, with some attention paid to minor forms such as operetta and Singspiel and the constantly popular musical. Opera is the most important of the forms resulting from the combinations of music and theatrical representation. It is a highly complex form, enlisting many different arts in its service: music, drama, poetry, acting, dance, stage-design, costuming etc. The primary concentration will be on the music element of this combination, though attention will be paid to other elements of this dramatic experience.

Assessment Written (4 short assignments): 10%
* 4 short class papers of 15 minutes each: 10%
* Essay (4000 words): 40%
* Examinations (3 hours): 40%

Prescribed texts

Grout D J A short history of opera 3rd edition, Columbia U P, 1988

Set works

Purcell, H Dido and Aeneas Kalmus
Mozart W Don Giovanni Eulenberg Miniature Score
Wagner R Die Meistersinger Eulenberg Miniature Score