Opera Workshop: History and Practice
Music 364-70
Summer 2008
Instructor:
Dr. Ann Rhodes
Professor Gayle Grout
Address:
Berea College
CPO #2194
Berea, KY 40404
[859] 985-3461/3463
[859] 572-5622 (Grout)
Home:
[859] 986-7322
Meeting Time:
MTWHF
(ann_rhodes@berea.edu)
(grout@nku.edu)
Morning
Syllabus
Course Objectives and Goals: This course is designed as a performance workshop of opera scenes. This
year there will be a special emphasis on Mozart’s operas because Salzburg is the city of Mozart’s birth.
The course will include a brief survey of opera history from 17th century Baroque period to the opera of
19th century Puccini and will feature an overview of Mozart’s important operas. In addition to this brief
historical survey, the class will study in depth Mozart’s opera Cosi Fan Tutte, and Le nozze di Figaro, not
only in terms of their historical significance and context but also through study and performance of
specific arias, duets, and trios from these operas. Study of these operas will be a springboard into
discussion and exercises about performance practice and will culminate in a final performance. Other
operas (Don Giovanni, Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss, etc.) will also be featured in class discussion
and listening. Areas of performance to be included are the following: Auditioning and resumé writing,
the Alexander Technique, Staging, the Singer-Actor, performance anxiety, singing recitative, working
with others on stage, movement [walking, bowing, etc.], Attitude cards and facial expression,
improvisation, and character development. Students are required to see at least one Mozart opera while in
Austria. (We are in the process of getting tickets.)
Requirements:
Required texts:
Reserve Reading:
Emmons, Shirley and Alma Thomas. Performance Power:
Transcending the Barriers. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.
ISBN: 978-0-19-511224-5
www.amazon.com
Clark, Mark Ross. Singing, Acting and Movement in Opera;
A Guide to Singer-getics. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2002
Osborne, Charles. The Complete Operas of Mozart
Cosi fan Tutte, Die Zauberflöte, Don Giovanni, Le nozze di Figaro
Hand-outs:
Opera History
Performance Assessments
Alexander technique articles
Listening:
Students will be required to do some outside listening
to CD's and / or tapes and to view video tapes or DVD’s of
specific opera scenes.
Concerts:
Students will be required to attend one opera during the summer and
write a review of the performance. Students will also required to attend
a performance at the Mozarteum and one performance at
the Marionetten Theatre which will involve a very small fee.
Opera, Mus 364-70, 2
Performance:
Students will be required to do a Final Performance
of their arias and duets for the class and in other public venues.
Coaching:
There will be required coachings with Dr. Rhodes,
Professor Grout, and the student accompanist
Music:
All students will be assigned certain roles and these must be
musically learned before arrival.
Grading:
Journals: 5 entries
(5 specific responses)
Character Analysis/scene synopsis:
Auditions [3]:
Resumé
Opera Reviews [2]
Live opera & video
Papers [2 short]:
Performance Feedbacks [4]
Final Performance:
Total:
200 points
100 points
150 points
50 points
200 points
100 points
100 points
100 points
1000 points
900-1000=A
800-899=B
700-799=C
600-699=D
599-000=F
Course Outline
week 1:
June 2:
Mon.
Introduction to Course
Alexander Technique/Introducing oneself/AT
Music Business; Resumes; Auditioning
Read: “Are You Here” in class
PP (Emmons)]: Ch. 1: “Performance” & 2: “Peak Performance”: pp. 3-19
June 3:
Tues.
AUDITION I: Arias and resumes
Career Choices; Rehearsal Times
Read: Handouts; PP: Chapter 3 “Mental Toughness”; pp. 21-31
Journal Assignment #1
June 4:
Wed.
Early Opera History Overview: VIDEO
Read: Handouts
June 5:
Thurs.
Audition Videos
Read: PP: Chapter 4 “Performance Cycle”: 33-56
June 6:
Fri.
Video Excerpt of scenes
Begin rehearsals
Journal #1
June 7-8:
Sat.-Sun.
Free Days
Mus 364-70 , 3
week 2
June 9:
Mon.
Alexander Technique
Read: Barbara Hudson article: Part 1
June 10:
Tues.
Audition II
VIDEO
Read: PP: Chapter 5 “”Self and Performance”: pp. 57-63
Audition Feedbacks/ Journal #2
June11:
Wed.
Video feedback
Video excerpts of scenes
Rehearsals
Read: PP: Chapter 6 “Well-Being & Relaxation”: pp. 65-73
June 12:
Thurs.
Cosi fan Tutte VIDEO
Read: PP: Chapter 7 “Setting Goals”: pp. 75-94
June 13:
Fri.
Cosi fan Tutte
VIDEO
Opera Review #1
June 14-15
Free Days
week 3
June 16:
Mon.
Alexander Technique and Singing
Rehearsals/Recitatives
Read: Barbara Hudson article: Part 2
Summary: Short Paper #2
June 17:
Tues.
Rehearsals
Video excerpts: scenes
Read: PP: Chapter 8 “Self-Confidence”: pp. 95-111
Journal Assignment #3
June 18-20
Wed.-Fri.
Free Days
June 21:
Sat. PM
Video excerpts: Scenes
Rehearsals
Read: PP: Chapter 9 “Art of Concentrating”: pp. 113-123
Chapter 10 “Distractions”: pp. 125-160
June 22:
Sun. PM
Audition Feedback/ Developing a character
Wesley Balk Exercises & the Singer/Actor
Attitude Cards
Read: PP: Chapter 11” Anxiety” pp. 147-160
Rehearsals
Opera 364-70, 4
week 4:
Performance dates: TBA
June 23:
Mon.
Alexander Technique
Scene and aria rehearsals/recitatives
Read: PP: Chapter 12: “Imagery”pp. 161-177
PP: Chapter 16: “Audition”: pp. 207-223
June 24:
Tues.
Audition III
VIDEO / Feedbacks
Journal Assignment #4
Rehearsals
Read: PP: Chapter 13: “Memory”: pp. 177-193
June 25:
Wed.
Reports on scenes: synopses, characterizations due
Acting Exercises / Scene rehearsals with props
Read: PP: Chapter 14: “Performance”: pp. 181-196
Final Writing Assignment
June 26
Thurs.
Rehearsals with props
PP: Chapter 19: “Fear”: pp. 245-250
June 27
Fri.
Free Day
week 5:
Performance dates: TBA
June 28:
Sat. PM
Dress Rehearsal
Read: Chapter 20: “Post-performance”: pp. 251-261
Final Journal Assignment
June 269
Sun. PM.
FINAL Dress rehearsal
Final Journal
FINAL PERFORMANCE
June 30:
Mon.
Program Evaluations
July 1
Tues.
Return to USA
Bon Voyage/Gute Reise