|
07
Thu
Nov
2018
19:30
|
19
Wed
Dec
2018
19:30 |
|
$50 |
|
Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Space Museum |
BUY TICKET
Music
Music Appreciation Series 27: All about Love in Western Opera—6S The Secret Key to the World of Opera Classics (Speaker: Chow Fan-fu)
(Conducted in Cantonese)
These seven lectures on opera can be considered as a continuation of Chow Fan-fu's popular 2014 series, “All about Love in Western Opera”.
It has been said that “Without love, there would not have been any opera”. This does point out the fact that nine out of ten Western operas are set against the backdrop of love. There are millions of love stories out there; they are a microcosm of humanity, providing a rich seam of material for opera and shaping it into an august, imposing vocal art form – a remarkable kind of music with infinite beauty that evokes something special.
Opera is a complex, multidisciplinary art form that integrates elements of music, literature and poetry (libretto), theatre (dramaturgy and acting), visual arts (stage, lighting and costume design) and dance. It can be quite a challenge when there are so many different elements involved, and its complexity both stimulates and increases the interest in the appreciation of opera. The biggest question, then, is “how?”
In this lecture series, Chow will explore a century of opera, covering seven operas with a focus on love written between 1790 and 1896. Using a "6S" approach – the fruit of his many years of opera appreciation – Chow will guide the participants in how to appreciate opera as a great art form. Video recordings of the featured operas will be played in each lecture for enhanced interest and better understanding.
7 November: A Dangerous Gamble on Love
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Cosi fan tutte (1790)
The opera was premiered in Vienna on 26 January, 1790. A worldly-wise philosopher believes that like all women, the fiancées of two newly engaged officers have fickle hearts and are not to be trusted. The three agree on a wager, and the young officers bid farewell to their fiancées, pretending that they have been called off to war. They then disguise themselves as Albanians and attempt to seduce the other's lover. Under the manipulation of a maid who is his accomplice, the philosopher wins the wager. It is a story that ends in forgiveness and reconciliation, with a comedic happily-ever-after. The reason the story appears to end this way could be attributed to the then belief that “cosi fan tutte” (“women are all like that”), but to play with love is to play with fire: the story probably would have ended quite differently if it happened in real life. Regardless of whether the plot makes sense or not, Mozart managed to pour out a stream of charming songs based on a simple story line, and created an opera buffa that enjoys an enduring popularity with all audience.
14 November: To Die for Love and the Country
Vincenzo Bellini: Norma (1831)
The opera was premiered in Milan on 26 December, 1831. Composed when Bellini was thirty, Norma has opera fans fighting for a ticket whenever it comes to the stage. Is it because of the explosive issue of nationalism in the war between the Gauls and the Romans, which resonates with the audience of today? Is it because it is a story straight out of a modern social drama, where the heroine, a woman who lives for love, considers killing her two children as revenge at the height of her despair? Or is it because she ultimately decides to forgive and sacrifice herself for her people, and the heartrending end with the hero joining her as they walk into the flames together? Whatever the reason, Norma is not as frequently staged as La Traviata, Carmen, Madama Butterfly and Turandot, and this can be the reason for its being a box-office draw every time another staging is announced.
21 November: Love that Transcends Hate
Gaetano Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor (1835)
The opera was premiered in Naples on 26 September, 1835. Lucia di Lammermoor in every way fits the bill as a “heart-wrenching epic tragedy”, with two lovers caught between two feuding families, in Romeo-and-Juliet style. This kind of timeless story is easy to resonate with the audience, and is often regarded an immortal work of art. Lucia di Lammermoor has a plotline driven by conflicts, and there is never a dull moment. It captures the audience's interest right off the bat with a mixture of suspense, violence, love and romance. Donizetti's music has a beautiful melodic contour, bolstered by a non-stop array of vocal presentations: arias, ensembles and choruses. The focus is on using vocals to create emotional and dramatic impact - and they are definitely not easy to perform!
28 November: Unwavering Love
Richard Wagner: Der fliegende Hollander (1843)
The opera was premiered in Dresden on 2 January, 1843. Based on an ancient legend about love, it marked Wagner’s first taste of success in realising his vision in opera as well as the beginning of his upward climb in his art. The story is about a Dutch sea captain who is cursed by a demon to sail the seas for eternity. He can only go ashore once every seven years to search for a woman whose everlasting love will free him from his curse. In a harbour in Norway, he meets a Norwegian sea captain who is taking shelter from a storm, and learns that he has an unmarried daughter. This rekindles his hope of breaking the curse. But what he does not expect is that a huntsman is in love with the woman and tries to come between them... This opera marked the turning point of Wagner's music career and opened new paths for Western opera.
5 December: Rejuvenation and Love
Charles Gounod: Faust (1859)
The opera was premiered in Paris on 19 March, 1859. The old Germanic folk tale of how Faust sold his soul to the Devil for renewed youth is the story that unfolds in Goethe's long dramatic poem, Faust, and the inspiration for Gounod to write his opera of the same name which catapulted him to fame. Together with Carmen, Gounod's Faust has long been one of the most performed French operas in the world. In this story, time is turned back and love blooms as youth returns. A magical, dramatic plot offers plenty of chances for special stage effects. It is already very exciting, yet the opera's true charm comes from its memorable songs, such as “The Jewel Song”, “Gretchen at the Spinning Wheel”, “Mephistopheles' Serenade”, “The Soldiers’ Chorus”, and “The Golden Calf”.
12 December: Love with Trials and Tribulations
Bedřich Smetana: Die verkaufte Braut (1866)
The opera was premiered in Prague on 30 May, 1866. Smetana's beloved Die verkaufte Braut (“The Bartered Bride”) can not only be considered a cornerstone work of Czech music, but also marked the beginning of a unique genre of Bohemian folk music. Die verkaufte Braut is an opera filled with the colours of the Bohemian folk tradition. The heroine's father owes the landowner money, so he forces her to marry the latter's foolish son. Her penniless beloved is “tricked” into bartering her off, and the star-crossed lovers turn on each other. It all ends happily, as expected. The comedic and light-hearted mood and music with pastoral overtones make for a delightful watch.
19 December: Love in Tumultuous Times
Umberto Giordano: Andrea Chénier (1896)
The opera was premiered in Milan on 28 March, 1896. Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, the story is based on the life of the 18th century French lyric poet, André Chénier. While it is recorded in world history that King Louis XVI was executed by guillotine during the second year of the revolution, few would know that Chénier, a patriotic poet who believed in freedom and social causes, also suffered the same fate on 25 July, 1794. In the opera, the hot-blooded, patriotic yet romantic Chénier meets the high-born lady, Maddalena, whose upbringing and position are completely different from his. The two bond over poetry and fall in love. During the turbulent times after the French Revolution, Chénier is put under surveillance for speaking out against the wrongdoings of the new government, and is even framed and jailed. Maddalena searches and finally finds her lover amidst the devastating circumstances. When faced with the inevitable, she contents herself to being guillotined with Chénier. Giordano crafted a lyrical love story in an era of unprecedented instability. There is also the wicked servant Gérard, who takes advantage of the situation and attempts to rape Maddalena. His story ultimately ends in regret, misery and futility.
Each lecture will run for about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Programme information provided by the speaker.
English translation provided by KCL Language Consultancy Ltd.
The programme does not represent the views of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
The presenter reserves the right to change the programme and the speaker.
TICKETING
DATE VENUE PRICE 07.11.2018 - 19.12.2018
(Every Wed, 7:30 pm, 7 lectures in total)
(Every Wed, 7:30 pm, 7 lectures in total)
Lecture Hall, Hong Kong Space Museum
$50
DATE07.11.2018 - 19.12.2018
(Every Wed, 7:30 pm, 7 lectures in total)
(Every Wed, 7:30 pm, 7 lectures in total)
PRICE
$50