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