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Introduction to Music
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Opera problems—Mozart solutions
Don Giovanni
Study thoughts
Mozart
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Incomparable child prodigy
» Performing at 5
» Composing at 8
Prolific composer—all genres, e.g.:
» Operas
» 41 symphonies
» Concertos for piano, strings, winds (being improved)
» Sonatas, serenades, masses
Genius; life possibly complicated by shortage of good
judgment
Mozart & Opera
Opera problems:
1. “stock”characters
Mozart’s solutions:
Mozart & Opera
Opera problems:
Mozart’s solutions:
1. “stock”characters
characters have real, believable
personalities
2. plots about mythology,
gods, aristocracy
plots about real-life middle class
characters
3. “stop & go”
(aria) (recit.)
continuous flow
arias and recitatives blended together
4. not cohesive, story lines
interrupted—often by
non-story material
orchestration, harmony, melody,
style--all contribute to story-telling,
setting mood, & adding depth to
characters; all else eliminated!
Summary
Mozart
Don Giovanni, Act I
Italian comic opera (actually, “drama giocosa”)
I=
many recitatives are accompanied by orchestra
ensembles:
characters retain I.D.s and personalities
several actions, moods, messages presented
simultaneously
opera provides social commentary
Connect Kamien
Don Giovanni: What do you hear?
How does Mozart use the voices, instruments, and qualities of the music to tell the story in
each of the following excerpts?
p. 183--“Waiting around” music: Notte e giorno faticar…
What elements of the music project elapsing time and Leporello’s pacing and/or
impatience?
pp. 183,4-- ensemble of Donna Anna, Don Giovanni, Leporello: Non sperar, se non
m’uccidi…
What message and mood does each character project? (Use the text and/or
ConnectKamien.)
p. 184—Commandant enters: Lasciala, indegno!...
What characteristics of his voice and/or the music communicate his authority and
advanced age?
p. 185--Dueling music:
What sounds suggest the slashing of swords in a fight?
What musical device indicates the duel has stopped suddenly (with the
Commandant being run through)?
p. 185--ensemble of mortally wounded Commandant, Don Giovanni, Leporello: Ah
soccorso! Son tradito!...
What message does each character project?
p. 186—Recitative: near-conversation quality, little melody,
basso continuo accompaniment
Don Giovanni readings
Click on the hypertext and read these 2 articles
NY Metropolitan Opera Synopsis
A modern day Don Giovanni production
describing the complex and demanding world of
today’s opera production
Lorenzo da Ponte
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What were da Ponte’s special abilities and skills?
What is his connection with Mozart?
What was his
connection
with the opera,
Don Giovanni?
Don Giovanni--Deep thoughts
1. Think of how today’s culture and its expressions
treat elements like those in Don Giovanni as
“mere entertainment.”
1. Womanizing
2. Seduction, rape
3. Murder
4. Contempt for:
absolutes of right and wrong
authority (especially religious/moral)
notion of wrong or evil being punished
2. Was the opera, Don Giovanni
ahead of its time??
an anomalous misrepresentation of culture’s tastes?
Movies
TV
Newspapers
Magazines
Novels
Hollywood “stars”
Pop culture icons
Maybe a bit
Probably NOT
Know about Mozart:
his wunderkind early life
 his problems w/ patronage
 his development of opera
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Compare/Contrast
Baroque with Classical
Society’s religiosity/secularity
 Aristocracy’s wealth and power
 Role of peasantry
 Geographical centers of artistic
development
 Music’s most important function in
society
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Explain...
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patronage--its relationship with and benefits/problems
for
» Haydn
» Mozart
» Beethoven
why the French Revolution, general European turmoil,
and industrialization led to the demise of patronage.
why less complex music is favored in classical culture.