Opera Report

Sean Chang

Opera scenes

Understanding music

I went to an opera in the university of Wisconsin River-Fall for my concert report. The opera take place at the 7:30, November 19, 2007 by music department in university. There are three scenes in this perform. First one is "the consul" by Gian-Carlo Menotti and next is "A hand of bridge" by Samuel Barber and the last one is "The rape of lucretia" by Benjamin Britten.

In the music field, opera is the most interest part for me. Opera have story and use singing with music replace talking. I watch "Rent" before, it is really good. This perform just use piano to accompany with sing, when I watch the opera, accompany is not harmonize with singing. Some times it is, but in many times it isn't. They just used the same melody for many situations, like one person singing always use the same melody and other use other melody. Watch in the opera with no subtitle is hard for me. In some parts I almost don't know what is talking about, but I still love watch the opera.

The first one is "The Consul" act I-scene II, by Samuel Barber. The story is that at the consul's office, many people are waiting to obtain visas. A woman applies and joins the crowd, but the secretary cannot promise anything.

Next one is "A hand of Bridge" by Samuel Barber. The story is about two couples playing a hand of bright David (baritone) image that if he as rich as his boss what will he do. Sally (contralto) always recalls a hat she saw in a shop window earlier in the day. Bill (tenor) recalls an ex-lover and wonders where she is now. Geraldine (soprano) laments not loving her now dying mother while she was still well.

The last one is "The Rape of Lucretia" Scene I- The Army Camp by Benjamin Britten. Three men drink together and that it. I have no idea that they are talking about.

Finally, it is interesting for me to watch the opera by student performed. In Taiwan, it is hard to see performance by student. When I watched the opera I think that the people you choose for character is good. They suit for their character in the opera and the most part impress me is the character in the last part "Prince Tarquinius", He has a powerful singing and with nice voice. One thing I think they can improve