Crossover of Opera and Popular Music - Essay Example

? CROSSOVER OF OPERA TO POPULAR MUSIC Introduction of Opera Music Opera music is a type of music that has stage drama in between performances. It is composed of vocal pieces that are usually accompanied with instrumentals. The instrumentals usually have interludes and orchestral overtures. In other kinds of operas, music is usually continuous throughout the act. In others, opera music is broken into discrete numbers or pieces that are separated either by spoken dialogue or recitative. Recitative is a dramatic kind of singing that is close to speech. Opera music also has an extended work that is dramatic in nature. How opera crossed over to film commercials and radios In Western opera, narratives are usually expressed musically in radio commercials. This may seem unrealistic at times. Several arias can be removed from opera music without affecting the story lines at any point in time. Despite removing all the gratuitous arias, Western opera music has never been criticized at any point. The reason is that most people believe that opera is a little concerned with narrative of the economy and realism. Hindi films are perfect examples that show how opera music has transformed from the music part into films. The powerful films, television, radio commercials and the internet demonstrate steps taken by India to embrace the crossover. It is arguable that some Hindi songs are better incorporated and presented. The music has incorporated opera music into their films. Their films are gratuitous and they can be seen to arise from familiarity of some set conventions. These conventions deem the cinema with characters voicing their emotions. Although there is immense pressure from Hollywood, high Western and cultural discourses see the Hindi films immature and unrealistic due to the incorporation of opera music in their films. The musical nature of Hindi films is usually characterized as expressing emotions in a large way. With their films not showing any signs of abandoning one of the most important parts of the narrative expression, it is harmless to say that Hindi film songs have demonstrated incorporation of opera music into their films. They tend to retain the cinematic and dramatic qualities rather than become an independent tradition. How music listeners listen to opera music even though they do not realize. There are people who listen to music but they do not know what kind of music they are listening to. They may even be watching Hindi films that have got opera music incorporated in them, but they have never known that they are listening to opera music. For one to actually appreciate the music, one should buy a ticket so that they can appreciate the music. Many people feel that opera music may not be proper for the first time. Before one sits down to enjoy the music, a little of effort is required from the listener. One should know the kind of work that is going to be performed early in advance. The listener should have learnt, at least early enough, about the music. This is done by listening to the music before and understanding it perfectly well. For sure, listening to the music is a source of joy and fulfillment either at home or in the theatre. The first thing that people should do in order to learn the music is to know the story. This is quite crucial as it helps to know the synopsis and understand the libretto. Both the libretto and synopsis are found in the CD set. They can also be found in the internet. Conceptualizing themes Habanera Habanera is a famous aria that originates from the opera Carmen. It was written by Georges Bizet. The habanera is at times referred to as “Love is a rebellious bird”. Habanera is usually based on a scale that is chromatic in nature and descending. It is then followed with variants of similar phrases in the major and minor keys. They usually correspond to the vicissitudes of lyrics that are expressed in the form of love. A brief synopsis of the story of Carmen The story was done George Bizet and this was one of his famous opera. The setting was in Spain and specifically Seville. It took place in the 19th century. There are main characters in the story of Carmen. They include; Carmen who sings in soprano, Don Jose who sings in tenor, El Dancairo who sings in baritone voice, el Remendado who sings in tenor voice and Escamilio who also sings in a baritone voice. In Seville, townspeople and soldiers were gathered at one point as they chatted and moved about. Micaela who was a young peasant girl questioned the soldiers about Don Jose who was her love. The soldiers instead told her to stay with them until her love returned but she declined and left. After Micaela left, Don Jose returned moments later. He returned before the cigarette factory bell rang. A group of Carmen, a group of women who included gypsies who were beautiful, exited the building. The soldiers started flirting with the women and asked the Carmen when she would love them. Her reply was given in the famous aria, Habanera. When Carmen saw Don Jose, she seduced him by tossing a flower in front of him. Don Jose was enchanted by the beautiful Carmen by picking up the flower that was tossed to him by the Carmen. Afterwards, Micaela retuned with a letter and kiss that was sent to Con Jose by the mother. In the letter, Don Jose’s mother pleads with him to marry Micaela. Don Jose on the other hand promised to love and be faithful Micaela. A fight broke out moments later at the factory between a woman and Carmen. In the scuffle that ensued, Carmen injured the woman before she was stopped by an officer. The officer was known as Zuniga. Zuniga ordered Don Jose to take Carmen to a certain location that they referred to as prison. In the process of escorting her, the lady charmed her way into freedom by seducing Don Jose. On realizing that he had set free Carmen, the officer in charge sent Don Jose to prison for a period of one month. Synopsis of the Muppet version to Julia Migener Johnson (film version) Julia Jonson acts as a housewife who is very unhappy with her life. In the Muppet version, she decided to take computer classes so that was situated at a local college. When her husband found about her latest undertakings, he became unsupportive and began to abuse her. The woman finally decided that she had had enough of it the couple decided to separate. Inspired by Claire her friend, she decides to leave her husband. After leaving her husband, she had nowhere to go so she moved in with her friend Claire with her children. Living together, they both developed a relationship that was more than friendship. As time goes by, the two were at loggerheads because Julie immersed herself into studies. This did not go down well with Claire. When we compare these two versions of opera, they all have a similar theme of relationship. We find that they both revolve around love but the difference is that the Muppet version is aware of the modern culture while the story of Carmen is the old version of aria from the opera. A brief synopsis of Gianni Schicchi “O mio babbino caro” means “Oh my Beloved Father”. This is another example of opera from the soprano aria. The song was done by Giacomo Puccini to a libretto known as Giovacchino Forzano. The song was sung by Lauretta after there was tension between her father, who was known as Schicchi, and the family of Rinuccio. She loved a boy from the family and their relationship had reached a breaking point. The music provides interludes that are contrasting in nature. There is also expression of lyrical simplicity in an atmosphere that is laden with hypocrisy and jealousy. There are also cases of double dealing in medieval Florence. The aria was performed in in the year 1918 in New York at the Metropolitan opera. The song has been sung in many sopranos. An opera Gianni Schicchi by Puccini is one of the most hilarious one that he has ever done. The opera is about a young girl who is innocent. The young daughter, Lauretta is banished from action. This way, the young girl will not be able to be around to see her father. The father was supposed to be around to help gaggle her boyfriend’s greedy relatives. The song was sung to Schicchi so that he could help her to marry her true love. It is one among the most popular or familiar tunes of all the classical music that are well known. Maria Callas Maria Callas was born in the year 1923. She was one of the most renowned opera singers in her time. She was talented in the bel canto technique. She was gifted vocally and her voice would at times be described as dramatic. She a versatile singer and had an array of songs. Her songs ranged from the famous bel canto to classical opera. She was also endowed in Puccini and Verdi. Angela Gheorghui Angela was born in Romania and was a soprano singer. She was also famed for singing operas music. She has also sung in New York at the Metropolitan Opera. She has also won many awards for herself as she recorded many recital albums and many opera recordings. When we make comparisons between Angela Gheorghui and Maria Callas, both have them have performed at the famous Metropolitan opera. They also sing opera music made them very popular and they also sing in the soprano voice. Critics argue that they were talented in their genre of music and I also find them extremely talented in opera music. Though they grew in different parts, Angela in Romania and Callas in Greece, they both had a passion for opera music. Nabucco brief story outline Nabucco that is English for Nebuchadnezzar is a type of song that is classified as an opera song. The song basically has four acts by different people. The four different acts include; the play by Auguste Ancient-Bourgeois, libretto by the Temistocles Solera that is based on the story from the Bible, and Giuseppe Verdi. What Nabucco did was to follow the plight of the Jews. The Jews were assaulted, defeated and conquered and finally exiled by the king of Babylon Nabucco. These events that were historical were used in political and romantic plots for the song. Nana Mouskouri Nana Mouskouri was a Greek singer who sold so many albums. She sung for a time that spurned over five decades. She recorded in many languages including; French, German, Hebrew and even Welsh. She began singing at the tender age of ten. HE sang Jazz in night clubs and he had bias towards Ella Fitzgerald repertoire. She studied classical music that had an emphasis on opera music. She was accepted at the Conservatoire where she began to play the Jazz music. Nana is said to have jazzed things up that was basically inspired by her recordings. The Greek songstress has shown many fans including both the old and the young that she has so much to offer. When we compare the two artists, who are Nabucco and Nana, we find that they both had a passion for music. They were both talented in classical music though they had differences. We find that Nana was introduced to the classical music later after having performed in many opera concerts. Nabucco’s short verse slightly indicated the kind of theme song. We find that the song was about the tribulations that the Jews had undergone. Andy Williams Andy Williams was born at a place called Iowa. It was at this town where he began his amazing career which was singing. He began singing with his brothers at a local church that was established by his parents. Later in life, he began to perform in clubs and the live audiences loved his Jazz performances. He recorded many labels that made him very popular. His live performances really helped him to endear himself to his fans. He even made an auditorium where he performed his music. When we compare him to Nabucco, we find that they both had different themes. While Andy’s’ theme was not based on tragedy, Nabucco’s was based on tragedy, where the Jews were being expelled from their native land. While Andy’s performances were mainly classical music, Nabucco’s was majorly based on opera music. Conclusion: Relevance of crossover music Crossover music is quite important in the modern day society. I believe that many do not know the very many genres of music that exist within the society. Crossover music makes it easier for people to appreciate that classical music are of many types and they carry with them messages. Modern day films are also incorporating in them the various types of opera music. Hindu movies have even made this quite recognizable in their movies whereby they incorporate different types of opera music. Popular adverts in radio have also taken up the initiative to sensitize people on the importance of classical music that includes the popular Jazz and opera music. Read More