OSHER 636 - Introduction to Bel Canto Opera

In this course, we will study several prominent operas by Italian composers from the early 19th century. We will pay particular attention to the music of composers Vincenzo Bellini, Gaetano Donizetti, and Gioachino Rossini, and listen to and discuss operas such as The Barber of Seville, Lucia di Lammermoor, and Norma. Class members will exit the course being able to identify the main Bel canto composers, their operas, and famous musical selections from those operas, and will learn about the stylistic differences between Bel canto singing and orchestration and other styles of opera. This course will include some light reading homework, but will focus mostly on in-class listening, lectures, and discussion.