Posted on 01/07/2004 5:08:09 PM PST by blam
You're right. What is being sung is completely irrelevant. LOL
ROFL!
I've always felt that this "assumption of Knowlege & Sophistication" has been a Detriment to the Rightful Enjoyment of the "Great Works" by us "regular People!"
AT Their BEST, the "Great Musical Works of Art" are able to evoke emotions in us BEYOND those we encounter in our ordinary lives.
Through these "Works," we glimpse a "Grander View" of our lives.
In past Years, we were Trained to understand the "Power & the Message" of the "Great Works" in School; but our generation has neglected to "educate" our Children, so that they could understand the Language of Music & Poetry.
Our "Public Schools" have--once again--Failed Us.
If we are Ignorant of the rich heritage of our Race, HOW can we expect our Citizens to choose Wisely when asked to Determine Our Destiny??
There are NUMEROUS "GREAT WORKS OF MUSIC" which CANOT be "Understood" without "Translation!"
YET, if we CANNOT UNDERSTAND these VERY SPECIAL & UNIQUE expressions of the "Human Condition," HOW can we decide "Where We Should Go??"
Past Generations took Special Pains to educate our Children in the "Special Language" of Classical Music--we have FAILED to continue that "Education."
I Fear that for This Reason--& Others--we may need GENERATIONS to re-establish the level of "Civilization" we have enjoyed!
Doc
When I first saw the thread title, "Revealed: Why You Can't Understand What An Opera Soprano Is Singing", my first thought was, "because it's in Italian?"
You sure make fine distinctions!
Can't tell you how much we enjoyed having you guys in Colorado last week!
Regards,
TS
We need a FR G&S club! And when formed, don't forget to ping Poobah. :-)
PORGY & BESS is American and has nothing, even remotely ( shared language, in part only, since some words are American Negro slang )in common with the British.
I like some Operas, not all of them. If you don't like any,ignore the genre and ignore this thread as well. :^)
If you're making up a little list... Would you believe Sinkspur "played Poobah in a high-school production of THE MIKADO, and can remember almost every line of every character, to this day"? Hmmm?
Opera probably got its start of the 16th century when a group of highly erudite Florentines tried to revive Greek drama, which of course was also sung.
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