This series of five
tutorials, covering the fascinating story of opera from its early beginnings in
Ancient Greece to the modern works of today, is richly illustrated with a
wealth of popular favourites as well as hidden gems, features some of the most
celebrated voices both past and present.
1. Early beginnings in Ancient Greece and the Middle Ages; Renaissance
and Baroque opera
In the first tutorial
we explore the roots of opera in Ancient Greece and the Middle Ages,
experiments in Renaissance Florence, and the emergence of modern opera during
the Baroque Era at the magnificent court of Louis XIV at Versailles.
2. Mozart, and early 19th century Romantic opera in France
and Germany
The second tutorial
features Mozart's oeuvre: the German Singspieland Italian opera buffa - his
significant contributions, and his influence on the succeeding generation of
post-Revolution French (Gounod and Bizet) and German (Weber and Beethoven) opera.
3. The Italians: from Rossini to Puccini
In the third tutorial
we explore developments in Italy, from the early Romantics - Rossini, Donizetti
and Bellini - to the towering figures of Verdi and Puccini. Included are their
significant contributions to operatic stage craft and production, and the
consequent elevation of composers from obedient servants to assertive
directors.
4. The Two Richards: Wagner and Strauss
The Late German
Romantics, Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss, feature in the fourth tutorial,
5. The Russians, key 20th century works, and Andrew
Lloyd-Webber
In the last tutorial
we focus on significant Russian and 20th century works - from Boris Godunov to Wozzeck - and several operas of our own era. We end on a lighter
note, with the rock operas of Andrew Lloyd-Webber.