Paste your essay in here…Abraham Meza
Yen Loh
ENG 102 – 1005
October 15, 2018
Thesis: As representation of Greek tragedies and stories began to diminish, a group of amateur, yet wealthy, artists and inventors gathered into a home to discuss how to improve the musicality of the late 16th century. Without a purposeful intention, their spontaneous ideas of potential improvements assembled into a new art form known as opera. The exploration, encounter, and exchange of opera developed reforms in the social, economic, and political aspects of European lives that were later on spread to the rest of the world.
Italian Opera Research: An Annotated Bibliography
Davis, John A. “Opera and Absolutism in Restoration Italy, 1815–1860.” Journal of
Interdisciplinary History, vol. 36, no. 4, Spring 2006, pp. 569–594. EBSCOhost,
doi:10.1162/002219506776023208.
In the scholarly article above, John Davis describes one of the major influences that Opera played in the lives of urban Italians and Europeans during the 19th century. During the rise and fall of the Napoleon empire, and beginnings of a constructive congressional government, the art of opera was utilized as a medium for propaganda. Because of opera’s vast popularity and accessible contents, many politicians utilized its wide array of audience members to express proposals on government affairs. Ideas from nationalism, religious ideals, and even absolutism under the Napoleon empire were inscribed into the abstract music and dialogue of operas. Opera was a very powerful tool in the political world, typically in Europe, and is still used to express a variety of views on a number of subjects. I will be using this source as one of the many examples of opera’s influence on the world through the political affairs of the past and in the present. Not only that, but the article also serves as a transition into other fields that were impacted by the art form. Davis reveals that politics were not the primary reason why opera mattered to society. Compared to the rest of my sources, this source will be categorized as one of the many examples of opera’s political impact and will be used as examples to how opera was influential during the times of conflict.
Fawcett-Lothson, Amanda. “The Florentine Camerata and Their Influence on the Beginnings of
Opera.” UI South Bend Undergraduate Research Journal, vol. 9, 2009, pp. 29–34. Vol 9
(2009): Undergraduate Research Journal.
In the article above, Amanda Fawcett-Lothson goes into depth behind the group that developed the idea of “opera”. She goes on to expand her informative statements by expressing the curiosity and doubt that society had on the Florentine Camerata’s influence on the revival of Greek dramas. The Florentine Camerata did not primary serve the purpose in creating a new art form, it was formed to improve the current music by mixing styles and techniques. The Camerata was neither formally documented nor organized: it was a friendly meeting among “amateur musicians, artists, astrologers, philosophers, and scientists” within Giovanni Bardi’s home to discuss the principals of music. The main focus that Fawcett expresses is that the art form was an accidental creation that was resulted by a clash of musical ideas from different perspectives. The Camerata looked upon the literature and philosophies of ancient Greek writers such as Girolamo Mei and Vincenzo Galilei. Though the group’s main goal was to reform polyphony, they had an indirect influence on the creation of opera as they infused Greek elements and modern music. I will be utilizing this scholarly source to introduce the topic of operatic influence upon society. In relation to my other sources, this source will be categorized as background information and the origination of Italian Opera. This source will allow the other sources to be relevant to my argument as I utilize Italian Opera as my prime example.
Grey, Thomas S. “Commentary: Opera in the Age of Revolution.” The Journal of
Interdisciplinary History, vol. 36, no. 3, 2006, pp. 555-567. JSTOR, JSTOR,
www.jstor.org/stable/3656480.
In the scholarly article above, Thomas S. Grey primarily rejects the idea that opera was primarily used as a political weapon during the time of Napoleon’s rule in Italy. Grey supported the idea that entertainment was always the main root of its attraction and impact. In his writing, he goes into depth over the tension that was accumulated during the French Revolution and its impact on Europeans. Many believe that opera was effectively used to raise support for contradictory causes, but Grey believes that opera built its own social conscience and could not be controlled by the government. To be more specific, audience members would ignore the embedded message in order to focus on the aesthetically entertaining elements of the performance. Grey argues that “it was not the opera’s politics, but its willful deviation from a path of aesthetic idealism. The audience would only listen to the moral of the opera if they were satisfied with the results of the performance. All in all, Grey admits that opera was considered a powerful political weapon during revolutions and conflicts, but he believes that politics and social values were always at entertainment’s disposal. I will be utilizing this source as the opposing belief of opera’s primary functions. Most of my researcher revolves around the impact on the social, economic, and political elements that opera offered to society; however, Grey specifically highlights opera’s purpose for entertainment. Even so, our information also ties hand-in-hand in regard to the market and how opera strengthened the economy. Grey’s research would also be valuable in introducing the topic how opera was seen as only an entertainment medium. Compared to the other source, this source will serve as an extension to opera’s influence in times of conflict. In addition to the Belgium Revolution and Napoleon’s Empire, this source will be used as an example to enforce the idea of political influence through operatic means.
Kotnik, Vlado. “The Adaptability of Opera: When Different Social Agents Come to Common
Ground.” International Review of the Aesthetics & Sociology of Music, vol. 44, no. 2,
July 2013, pp. 303–342. EBSCOhost.
In the journal above, Vlado Kotnik heavily stresses opera’s elements of adaptability and cultural evolution through the various environments that it is shared through. To be more specific, Kotnik elaborates on the exchange of operatic techniques and ideas through the cultural festivities that occur throughout Europe. Because of its exposure to a multitude of ideals, opera has become immune to the discriminative conditions (economic/ social/political) presented by society. The art form holds the ability to ground the identities of the cultures it has absorbed to give an accurate depiction to the public. In addition to its controlled and unbiased behavior, opera has also been presented to the privileged and the masses. Due to its wide accessibility, opera has been able to exist within all social spectrums in society. As a result, to its diverse exposure, opera has become a very flexible and well-rounded form of expression and education. Throughout time, it has absorbed the different morals and techniques of cultures and implemented it into its performances. This source will be incorporated into my research and writing as a main idea in regard to opera’s behavior in the social world and its effects on society. Opera continues to impact its audience by showing them a multitude of perspectives of different situations. Opera can be seen as the “common ground” for the world. In relation to my other sources, this source will be categorized as the social influence of opera. The social exchange of opera closely ties to the evolution of opera through cultural exposure as covered in other sources within my research.
Kennedy, Alayna. “A Brief History of Opera.” A Kennedy in College, Pennsylvania State
University, 5 Mar. 2015, sites.psu.edu/akennedyscollegeciviclife/2015/03/05/a-
briefhisotory-of-opera.
In the website above, Alayna Kennedy provides a brief definition of what opera can be depicted as and how it different from a traditional play or musical. Kennedy mildly goes into depth the traditional structures that operas follow. She continues to describe opera by illustrating its origins in Italy, and the beginning successes that brought the art form into the light. Though Kennedy did not primary research the beginnings of the art form, she goes into depth on the evolution of opera through the changing eras. To be more specific, she illustrates how opera reflects other artistic mediums such as literature, as it adapted to the ideology of major time periods such as the Enlightenment period and the Romantic period. Opera never followed one ideal or purpose, it fluctuated from dramatic legends to realism and other themes. In addition to the descriptions of each individual time period, Kennedy also provided examples of major operas that displayed the crucial elements of the shifting time periods. I will be using this source as a foundation for displaying opera’s evolution over time, while comparing its elements to those of other forms of art (i.e. literature, music, art, etc.). Not only that, but I will also be incorporating this source as proof of how the exchange of ideas between the social world and time periods allowed opera to evolve from its basic fundamentals, that revolved around dramatic tragedies, to what it is today. Compared to the other sources of my research, this source will be categorized as background information and the evolution of opera. The background information covered in this source mimics that of other background sources within my research, thus emphasizing its importance and credibility. In addition, the article’s contents of periodic operatic styles expand upon the fact that opera did not only evolve through cultural elements as expressed in other articles.
Muir, Edward. “Why Venice? Venetian Society and the Success of Early Opera.” Journal of
Interdisciplinary History, vol. 36, no. 3, Winter 2006, pp. 331–353. EBSCOhost,
doi:10.1162/002219506774929854.
In the scholarly article above, Edward Muir establishes the fundamental definition of opera and the different functions that it served as time progressed. In the beginning, opera was only used as an entertainment outlet that gave the masses an opportunity to witness a quality art form live. However, as tourism in Venice grew, opera became a binding agent within cultural preservation. Venice was known to host cultural festivities that people would migrate to, to experience Italian culture, or to pass their own teachings to the neighboring citizens. As tourism grew and cultural influence expanded around Europe, opera began to evolve through the traditions and history of other societies. In addition to the cultural aspect of society, the article also depicts the Counter-Reformation in Venice. Through this movement, Venice became a hotspot for libertarian and religious skeptics. Generally speaking, tourism allowed Venice to grow economically, socially, and politically, which resulted in the city’s decline as a self-centered town. Opera became the primary source of influence and began to travel with the tourists as they returned to their homeland. I will be utilizing this article as an example of how cultural diffusion plays a major rule in opera’s social influence. In addition, this source allows me to illustrate how Venice’s environment allowed opera’s success to grow indefinitely. In relation to the other sources within my research, this source will be categorized as the political, economic, and social influence of opera. This source allows me to expand beyond the origination of opera in Florence, Italy and describe its impact in other environments. Though the article articulates that the influence was primarily in Venice, this source also allows me to compare tourism as a vital factor in opera’s globalization and exchange.
Opera, Greensboro. “A Short History of Opera.” Greensboro Opera, 2009,
www.greensboroopera.org/oft-history.shmtl.
In the website above, the Greensboro organization describes the early emergences of the art known as opera. This source illustrates how opera served as a story-telling medium that contained mythology, fairy tales, folk stories, and other dramatic tragedies that held a moral to be taught. A small group of wealthy artistic persons gathered together, in Florence, Italy, to discuss the revival and transformation of Greek dramas and tragedies during the late 1500s. The article provides a brief description of what elements make opera unique and creative. In addition to the opera’s background information, the Greensboro organization also includes examples of successful composers and playwrights that impacted the operatic world. The various artists from different cultural backgrounds gave opera a wider purpose than being solely based on entertainment., Through its exposure to diversity, opera became an interactive art form that allowed progression as an art and to the world’s perception of the arts and life. The website enforces the idea that opera’s exchange of cultural and artistic elements has closed the gap between other forms of entertainment such as literature and acting. I will be utilizing this source to provide a short background of the contributors of opera’s creation and how it was developed, while also connecting the elements of exchange presented to prove the art form’s flexibility. It can be seen that its exposure to different cultures has transformed opera into a tool of cultural diffusion as it improves its form while also presenting new techniques to other societies. Compared to the rest of the sources within my research, this source will be categorized as background information, the definition of opera, and the social exchange of operatic means. This website provides information on the origination and definition of opera, which is elaborated more upon in other sources within my research. In addition, the website covers the essential elements of opera that make it a flexible art form; thus, can be utilized as evidence to detail how opera is adaptable through social exchange in other sources.
Pang, Cecilia J. “(Re)Cycling Culture: Chinese Opera in the United States.” Comparative
Drama, vol. 39, no. 3/4, 2005, pp. 361-396. JSTOR, JSTOR,
www.jstor.org/stable/41154288.
In the journal article above, Cecilia J. Pang describes the elements of Chinese Opera and its primary purpose within the United States. At first, Chinese Opera was designated towards Chinese immigrants that felt home-sick or out of place: it was used as a mental and cultural escape to preserve Chinese roots. However, the opera slowly started to incorporate American elements into its theatrics and began to target a more diverse American audience. In Pang’s study, she mentions how this cause was initiated by sociological evolution and the open-minded idea of cultural diffusion. To be more specific, Chinese Opera was very traditional and bland as it followed the basic teachings of heroic folklore and societal roles (masculinity, femininity, etc.). However, historical movements in America, such as the women’s suffrage movement, sparked a change in the values of Chinese immigrants, especially during the emancipation of Chinese women in the Chinese Revolution. In addition, the tours and explorations of Chinese composers caused a liberal influence as a result of the audience’s feedback. The act of cultural diffusion changed the art and evolved the mindset of both Americans and Chinese through the act of cultural awareness. This exchange of ideas and techniques similarly resembles the exchange of musical techniques between Italy and the China. Though the Chinese absorbed styles and techniques from Italian Opera, they were also able to absorb different ideology during their time in the United States. This source will be utilized in my writing as evidence behind opera’s cultural evolution and social impact on society. This source will allow me to expand outside of Italian Opera and European lives to display its effects on the world. In relation to the other sources within my research, this source will be categorized as the globalization, historical events, and social exchange of opera. As a way to expand upon opera’s globalization, Chinese opera is a prime example of social exchange within the United States. Similar to Italian opera, Chinese opera was influenced by historical events and helped spark reform during times of disagreement.
Romano, Dennis. “Why Opera? The Politics of an Emerging Genre.” Journal of
Interdisciplinary History, vol. 36, no. 3, Winter 2006, pp. 401–409. EBSCOhost,
doi:10.1162/002219506774929791.
In the scholarly article above, Dennis Romano utilizes Edward Muir’s article to expand upon the reason why opera was a prominent art from during the seventeenth century. In addition to connecting opera’s success to the adaptability and availability to the public, Romano takes it a step further and explains how opera unraveled the social tensions between the nobility and the masses. Because of the opera’s availability to a non-limited audience, the nobility and common citizens gathered together in one room, as they experienced the same things hand-in-hand. Especially during the times of war, the economy would decline drastically, causing the nobility to weaken as their influence was reduced due to taxes and other payments. As the nobility and the masses began to intermingle more often with one another through the arts, the social status of nobility began to fade away. As a result, policies such as marriage and career recruitment were dissembled, thus allowing people to have a greater sense of freedom in dictating their future. I will be utilizing this journal to show how opera helped influence the social change within the lives of the Europeans. Through this article, Romano specifically tackles on the idea that aristocracy was weakened through the act of sharing operatic compositions. Generally speaking, opera served a multitude of functions in ways that society could not predict. Compared to the other sources utilized in my research, this source will be categorized as the social exchange and social influence of opera. The article elaborates on how opera’s availability to the public allowed an intermingle of different social classes, thus breaking social barriers. Through this main idea, other sources relating to social exchange can be evaluated based on the effects of social status and its change due to operatic exposure.
Rabb, Theodore K. “Opera, Musicology, and History.” Journal of Interdisciplinary History, vol.
36, no. 3, Winter 2006, pp. 321–330. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1162/002219506774929782.
In the article above, Theodore Rabb emphasizes opera’s vital role in the political world and how its ability of expression lead to social change within Europeans. To be specific, Theodore expresses the function of opera during wartimes and internal conflicts within countries. During the French Revolution, opera was heavily used as an economic advantage as it provided financial stability for goods and technology. Opera’s popularity allowed it to be utilized for supplies and strategical spending; however, opera expanded beyond the utilization of money. Opera was used as a weapon to influence the minds of the masses. Theodore goes into depth about Daniel Auber’s opera, La Mutte de Portici. Daniel Auber’s operatic work lead to the Belgian Revolution: to free Naples from Dutch control. The opera’s moral and plot provided a boost of nationalism to the citizens of Naples as they marched straight out of the theater protesting for their freedom. Opera’s true dangerous utilizations comes from the influence on the public. Due to its impact on the minds of its audience members, many political affiliations used it as a method of propaganda during wartime and other conflicting matters. This article contributed to my project by establishing an example where opera served more than just entertainment. Though opera is seen as a harmless medium of entertainment, it can be used in more ways than it was originally designed for. In addition, this article contributes to the evolution of opera as it was exchanged through the times of crisis’. In relation to the other sources in my research, this source will be categorized as historical events, and the political and social influences of opera. The source above provides another example of a conflict that was influenced by operatic exposure. In addition to historical content, this source emphasizes the importance of opera during times of troubles which can be closely analyzed through other sources that contain more examples of its influence.