.:.Prompt.:.
Giacomo Puccini: four arias from the opera Madame Butterfly“Dovunque al mondo”
“Ancor un passo or via.”
“Un bel dì vedremo”
“Addio fiorito” (suicide aria)
The Italian and English texts are in the Course Pack. Read the background story of the opera and listen to the arias (E-study).
BLOG: Based on the texts of these arias, what do you think of the character of Pinkerton? Of Butterfly? Of Sharpless? Of Goro? What might this opera tell us about the United States’ attitude (and that of Western cultures in general) toward Eastern cultures during the early 19th century? Include images of at least two opera posters for Madame Butterfly.
.:.Prompt.:.
Samuel Barber (lyrics Menotti): two arias from the opera Vanessa, Act 1, scene 1.
Vanessa: “Do not utter a word” (Course Pack). Read the background story of the opera posted in the Course Pack and listen to Leontyne Price sing the aria.
BLOG: Vanessa’s aria is a terrific example of sustained dramatic irony. Be sure you know what dramatic irony means (look it up). How does it work to intensify this scene? Why has Vanessa covered all the mirrors in the house? Include a picture of Samuel Barber, a picture of Leontyne Price, and an image from the opera if you can find one.
Susan Graham: “Must the winter come so soon?” (Course Pack). Listen to Susan Graham sing the aria.
BLOG: Consider the poetic images in the text: “hungry deer,” “frozen owl,” and “neither dawn nor sunset?” Why might the poet (Menotti) have chosen them for Erika’s aria? What do they suggest about her and her situation?
