MS 360 - Staging Italian Opera

The final objective of the course is to learn hands-on how to stage an opera, whether it is a complete title or an opera-pastiche, which will be composed in class in this case from arias, duets and ensembles taken from famous Italian operas written by various composers, such as Händel, Mozart, Bellini, Donizetti, Verdi, etc., from the 17th to the 20th century. The opera or the music performed will be chosen according to its connection with a topic chosen by the teachers every semester. The arias and the ensembles will be chosen according to the voice types and the vocal ranges of the students.

We will focus on music style, musical form and structure of the pieces, words and diction, acting and staging.

The course will culminate in a live performance in Milan at the end of the semester and will be performed with piano and other accompanying instruments, if necessary. The course is open to all voice, theatre or dance students and does not require acceptance into the Music Program. Students will also work to create a critical/analytical text on the opera, to be presented in the form of program notes for the final performance.