Preghiera in Italian Bel Canto Opera
Issue Date
2014-12-31Author
White, Jennifer
Publisher
University of Kansas
Format
38 pages
Type
Dissertation
Degree Level
D.M.A.
Discipline
Music
Rights
This item is protected by copyright and unless otherwise specified the copyright of this thesis/dissertation is held by the author.
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
This lecture explores the representation of prayer in opera during the bel canto era. During the operatic bel canto era, prayer scenes were featured with increasing frequency. The popularity of this practice was likely rooted in a Romantic trend towards utilizing religious ceremony for dramatic effect. Eventually, these scenes became a standard part of Romantic Italian opera in a variety of forms, but none so prevalent as the heroine's pleading. As the era developed, the language for referencing a religious figure used in prayers, the musical structure, the orchestration, and the way composers and librettists utilized these scenes within the dramatic context of the opera all changed and moved towards the grand preghiera scenes of Giuseppe Verdi. The scenes examined are: Gioachino Rossini's "Deh, tu reggi in tal momento" from La gazza ladra, Gaetano Donizetti's "Deh, tu di un'umile preghiera" from Maria Stuarda, "Madre pietosa Vergine" from Giuseppe Verdi's La forza del destino, "Deh calma o ciel" from Rossini's Otello, and Verdi's "Ave Maria" also from Otello. A detailed study of the scenes and arias above exemplifies how the politics, tastes, and sensibilities of the Italian people changed.
Collections
- Dissertations [4660]
- Music Dissertations and Theses [335]
Items in KU ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.
We want to hear from you! Please share your stories about how Open Access to this item benefits YOU.