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Humanities 444H: Mozart and the Enlightenment:
Social Norms and Sexual Behavior in the 18th Century.
Spring 2011
Tuesday and Thursday, 3:40 – 5:00 PM
Murkland Hall 104
Robert E. Stiefel, PhD, Special Instructor and Fellowships Office Coordinator and Advisor,
Hood House 220, Robert.Stiefel@unh.edu 2-0733
George Adams, Assistant and Peer Mentor gwt5@cisunix.unh.edu
Meetings of the Seminar with Reading, Listening, and Writing Assignments
01/25, Tuesday: Introductions; Mozart, Enlightenment, the Brain and How We Behave.
For o1/27: Read in “The Portable Enlightenment Reader” the Introduction, pp. ixxxiv and PART ONE, pp. 1-38. - Be prepared to write in class a brief definition of
“Enlightenment” as you understand it so far.
01/27, Thursday: [January 27, 1756 is Mozart’s Birthday! A Brief Celebration]
General background history: What is Enlightenment?
After the writing of a brief essay in class, we will form 5 working groups to lead
discussions at the next session (see assignment below).
For 02/01: Read in “The Portable Enlightenment Reader” Franklin, pp 73-74;
Voltaire, pp 115-133; Rousseau, pp 229-235; Cleland, pp. 257-264; de Gouges, pp. 609618; Kant, pp. 637-639. 5 Groups of 4 members each will lead discussion at the next
session on each of the five topic areas (below).
02/01, Tuesday: With guidance from each of the 5 working groups, we will discuss some
central/basic concepts of the Enlightenment regarding 1) Reason and Nature, 2) Reason and God,
3) Education and Childhood, 4) Manners and Morals, & 5) Gender and Race.
For 02/03: Read in “This Is Your Brain on Music,” by Daniel Levitin, Introduction
and Chapters 1 through 4 (experienced musicians may skip Chapters 1 and 2 if they wish).
02/03, Thursday: “The Music Instinct: Science and Song.” DVD: Part One of the PBS video
followed by discussion including Levitin, Introduction and Chapters 1-4 and a member’s oral
presentation.
For o2/08: Optional: review the PBS video (on reserve).
Read in “This Is Your Brain on Music,” by Daniel Levitin,
Chapters 5 through 9 plus appendices.
02/08, Tuesday: Part Two of “The Music Instinct: Science and Song,” followed by discussion of the
video and Levitin, Chapters 5-9 and a member’s oral presentation.
For o2/10: Optional: review the PBS video (on reserve).
Read: overview before reading Gay’s biography:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozart
Read “Mozart, A Life” by Peter Gay, pp 1-86.
[fear not: a small book!]
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02/10, Thursday: Meeting Mozart: you’ve read about him, now listen to his music. What’s going on?
Who is playing what? How to listen and what to listen for in symphonies and concertos. In
class examples (posted on Blackboard):
Theme and variations for piano on “Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman,” K. 265.
Minuet (Song) and Trio from Symphony #35, K. 385, “Haffner”;
Rondo from Serenade, K. 239, “Serenata notturna”;
Sonata allegro Form (“1st Mvt. Form”) from Symphony No. 35, K. 385, “Haffner.”
For 02/08: Listen repeatedly to Thursday’s music examples as
posted on Blackboard.
Finish reading “Mozart, A Life,” by Peter Gay (pp.87-163).
02/15, Tuesday: Opera! Opera! “You can do anything in public, as long as you sing it!”
A lively introduction to opera: What makes an opera an opera? How about different
kinds of opera?
In class DVDs and CDs (the examples will be posted on Blackboard
for repeated listening).
For o2/17: Read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Marriage_of_Figaro for an
overview. Then read Act One of Figaro in English with the Italian at hand.
http://www.opera-guide.ch/libretto.php?id=250&uilang=en&lang=en
http://www.opera-guide.ch/libretto.php?id=250&uilang=en&lang=it
02/17, Thursday: The Marriage of Figaro, viewing and discussion of Act I.
How does Mozart’s music illuminate the text and stage action? How does the music
relate to the text? These questions continue throughout the seminar.
For 02/22: Listen to or watch Act 1.
Read Act Two of Figaro.
02/22, Tuesday: The Marriage of Figaro, viewing and discussion of Act II.
What role do sentiment and emotion play in the Enlightenment and in this opera
(and those to follow)?
For 02/24: Listen to or watch Act Two.
Read Act Three of Figaro.
02/24, Thursday: The Marriage of Figaro, Act III.
How are social norms tested or violated by erotic desire?
For 003/01: Listen to or watch Act III.
Read Act IV of Figaro.
03/01, Tuesday: The Marriage of Figaro, Act IV: Recognition and Enlightenment.
[Note: How many different understandings of the concept of Enlightenment emerge
in the course of this drama? How can balance be established to preserve community?
Is an ideal society built on tolerance and forgiveness possible? We will reconsider
these matters throughout the remainder of the semester.]
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For 03/03: Listen to or watch Act IV of Figaro.
NOTE: 6 page essay on Figaro due. [The essay requires four pages of
objective analysis and two pages of personal response.
Submit by e-mail as an MSWord.doc attachment to Robert.Stiefel@unh.edu .
If necessary, your essay will be returned for revision before it is graded.]
03/03, Thursday: 6 Page essay on Figaro due by e-mail no later than 10 PM today.
Final discussion of Figaro, with 4 members’ oral presentations.
For 03/08: Read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Giovanni for an overview.
Then read Act One of Don Giovanni in English with the Italian at hand:
http://www.opera-guide.ch/libretto.php?id=251&uilang=en&lang=en
http://www.opera-guide.ch/libretto.php?id=251&uilang=en&lang=it
03/08, Tuesday: Don Giovanni, Part One: DVD: Overture and Act 1 through No. 9 Quartet.
The destructive force of unbridled erotic desire – lived out and rationalized by Don Giovanni.
[Note: Tutorial sessions this week and next: how are you doing? Sign up for appointment.]
For 03/10: Listen to or watch Overture and Act 1 through No. 9 Quartet.
Read again Act I of Don Giovanni (review).
03/10 , Thursday: Part Two of Don Giovanni: “la liberta” and libertinism.
DVD: Recitative after No. 9 through end of Act 1.
For 03/22: Listen to or watch Recitative after No. 9 through end of Act 1.
Read: Act Two of Don Giovanni.
03/15 and 17: SPRING BREAK. Upload MOZART onto your personal music players!
03/22, Tuesday: Part Three of Don Giovanni: Mask and masquerade.
DVD: Opening of Act 2 through No 21b Aria (Donna Elvira)
Discussion of the vulnerabilities and dangers inherent in the Enlightenment ideals.
For 03/24: Listen to or watch Opening of Act 2 through No 21b Aria.
Read again Act 2 of Don Giovanni (review).
03/24, Thursday: Part Four of Don Giovanni: Fate and Future.
DVD: No. 22 Duet through the End of the Opera.
For 03/29: Listen to or watch No. 22 Duet to End of Don Giovanni.
NOTE: 6 Page essay on Don Giovanni due. Submit by e-mail as an
MSWord.doc attachment. [The essay requires four pages of objective analysis and
two pages of personal response.]
03/29, Tuesday: 6 Page essay on Don Giovanni due by e-mail no later than 10 PM today.
Final discussion of Don Giovanni, with 4 members’ oral presentations.
For 03/31: Read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cos%C3%AC_fan_tutte for an
overview.
Then read Act One of Cosi fan tutte in English with the Italian at hand.
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http://www.opera-guide.ch/libretto.php?id=252&uilang=en&lang=en
http://www.opera-guide.ch/libretto.php?id=252&uilang=en&lang=it
03/31, Thursday: Part One of Cosi fan tutte: Love is – what? Blinding? Enlightening?
The theme of sentiment (emotion and feeling) in the 18th Century.
DVD: Overture through No. 11 Aria
For 04/05: Listen to or watch the Overture through No. 11 Aria.
Read again Act One of Cosi fan tutte (review).
04/05, Tuesday: Part Two of Cosi fan tutte: What does it mean to be faithful to another?
DVD: No 12 through the end of Act 1
For 04/07: Listen to or watch No 12 through the end of Act 1.
Read Act Two of Cosi fan tutte.
[Note: Tutorial sessions this week and next: plans for your final paper. Sign up for
appointment.]
04/07,Thursday: Part Three of Cosi fan tutte: Who are you? Who am I?
Opening of Act 2 through No. 26 aria.
For 04/12: Listen to or watch Opening of Act 2 through No. 26 aria.
Read again Act Two of Cosi fan tutte.
04/12, Tuesday: Part Four of Cosi fan tutte: Recognition! And enlightenment results in … ?
Recitative after No. 26 through the End.
For 04/14: Listen to or watch the recitative after No. 26 through the End.
NOTE: 6 Page essay on Cosi fan tutte due. Submit by e-mail as an
MSWord.doc attachment [The essay requires four pages of objective
analysis and two pages of personal response.]
04/14, Thursday: 6 Page essay on Cosi fan tutte due by e-mail no later than 10 PM today.
Final discussion of Cosi, with 4 members’ oral presentations.
For 04/19: Read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Magic_Flute for an overview.
Then read Act I of The Magic Flute in English with the German at hand.
http://www.opera-guide.ch/libretto.php?id=254&uilang=en&lang=en
http://www.opera-guide.ch/libretto.php?id=254&uilang=en&lang=de
04/19, Tuesday: Part One of the Magic Flute: The untrained mind and unrestrained feeling.
DVD: Overture through the Quintet, #5.
Yet “[love’s] high purpose clearly proclaims that there is nothing nobler than
woman and man. Man and woman, woman and man come close to divinity.”
For 04/21: Listen to or watch the Overture through the Quintet, #5. [don’t skip spoken bits]
Read again Act One of the Magic Flute.
04/21, Thursday: Part Two of the Magic Flute: Enlightenment pedagogy: two different pupils
begin their education.
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“Things are seldom what they seem; skim milk masquerades as cream.”
DVD: The Trio #6 through the end of Act 1.
For 04/26: Listen to or watch the Trio #6 through the end of Act 1. [don’t skip spoken bits]
Read Act Two of the Magic Flute.
04/26, Tuesday: Part Three of the Magic Flute: Introversion and Extroversion;
Intuition and Sensing; Thinking and Feeling.
– cosi fan tutte/tutti: everybody does it … differently.
DVD: The Opening of Act 2 through Pamina’s Aria, #17.
For 04/28: Listen to or watch the Opening of Act 2 through Pamina’s Aria, 17.
Read Act Two of the Magic Flute (review).
04/28, Thursday: Part Four of the Magic Flute:
“Through the power of [music], we walk through death’s dark night.” …
“Soon the sun will glitter on its golden path to announce the morning;
soon, dark delusion will disappear.”
DVD: The Chorus of Priests, #18, to the end of the opera.
For o5/03: Listen to or watch the Chorus of Priests, #18, through the end.
NOTE: 6 page essay on the Magic Flute due. [The essay requires four pages
of objective analysis and two pages of personal response.]
05/03, Tuesday: 6 page essay on the Magic flute due no later than 10 PM today.
Final discussion of Flute, with 4 members’ oral presentations.
“Oh, gentle calm, descend, return to the heart of humankind;
then earth will be a heavenly kingdom, and mortals like the gods.”
For 05/05: Review what you have learned about Enlightenment from the four operas;
review plans for your final essay.
05/05, Thursday: Oral presentations by 2 members
AND
an Enlightened Finale with a Mozartean Celebration.
05/12 – 16, Thursday through Monday: Final paper due during this period: Search out and present
and analyze Enlightenment themes in one of four Mozart operas not studied in class:
La finta giardiniera
Idomeno
Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail (The Abduction from the Seraglio [Harem]).
La Clemenza di Tito.
Required: 8 pages analysis; 2 pages response. Submit by e-mail as an MSWord.doc attachment any
time up until 10 PM April 16; earlier if possible.
Address: Robert.Stiefel@unh.edu
05/16, Monday: One to two page evaluation of the seminar submitted by e-mail by 10 PM.
This is not graded and not read until all other materials are in and graded.
Note: Final papers and course grades will be returned in the order received.
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