Music 271: 2/21/07 II: German Opera: (Bonds p. 469) A: From Mozart to Weber • Early German operas had Italian texts (Mozart and Haydn) • Mozart composed 2 Germanic operas (Abduction from the Seraglio (1782) & The Magic flute (1791)) • Beethoven’s Fidelio (1814) B: Karl Maria von Weber: Biographical Sketch • Born in 1786 and died in 1826 • Composed 3 Operas (Euryanthe (1823) & Oberon (1826)) • Known for instrumental music as well • Was primarily a conductor in Prague and Dresden C: Der Freischütz: The First German Romantic Opera • Completed in 1820, 1st performed in 1821 1. Romantic Elements (GB p. 58) • Conflict between good and evil - Good prevails • Role of Nature • Supernatural elements • Redemption of the hero by the heroine’s prayers and self-sacrifice 2. Sources of Unity • How to transform the opera into something more • For the first time, his overture was based around the themes of the 2 main characters • Use of orchestration to portray symbols (Horns = hunting) • CM = Good Cm = Evil • Post WWII Hollywood scores used the German Romantic opera sound III: Richard Wagner - Part I: (Bonds p. 482-82) • Born 1813 • Wagner’s operatic influence was greatest • He was a primarily an opera composers • Wrote a treatise concerning opera and it flaws, as well as his list of reforms • Post-Romantic period 1850-WWI (1914) • “Instrumental music cannot paint pictures” • Believed that he was superior to all of humanity • Also believed that operas before him never attained a sense of unity “The elements of Wagnerian Music Drama” (Bonds p. 469-481) • The idea of the Gesamtkunstwerk • Drama as “Deeds of Music Made Visible” • The Leitmotiv • The relationship of voice and orchestra • The Structure of the Dramatic Text • Endless Melody