95890 - History of Opera Direction (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student knows the history of opera productions; he knows the artistic and theoretical currents that have applied to the opera theatre the innovations from the theatrical direction; he knows how to analyze the relationships between the literary text, musical dramaturgy and stage production; acquire knowledge of the transformation involved in the practice of directing at the level of singers' acting training, technological renewal and audience perceptions; acquires the main instruments of study to set investigations on the opera direction and develop a mature and original critical reflection on the application of the arts of staging to the representation of musical dramaturgies.

Course contents

The course provides an overview of the history of opera staging, from the Baroque to the present days.

The aim is to tackle the history of opera staging in a critical perspective, as the result of heterogeneous components (music, dramaturgy, singing, acting, space, scenography, economy, etc.) that change according to times and social contexts of reference.

The course will offer an in-dept analysis of several productions of Verdi's Rigoletto, from Robert Carsen to Damiano Michieletto, from 'traditional' approaches to Regietheater, with the aim of providing an insight on the evolving trends of opera staging.

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is suggested that they get in touch as soon as possible with the relevant University office and with the lecturer in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

Readings/Bibliography

• Matteo Paoletti, Breve storia della regia lirica italiana, Roma, Dino Audino, 2024
• Gerardo Guccini, La regìa lirica, livello contemporaneo della regìa teatrale, in «Il castello di Elsinore», 2010, vol. 62, pp. 83-104
• Documentation uploaded on Virtuale. English bibliography available upon request.
  

Teaching methods

The lessons will be carried out in the presence.

The course is organized in frontal lessons, with analysis and deepening of the concepts treated, guided analysis of the audiovisual works of opera and musical theatre.

Assessment methods

The evaluation of the course will be carried out according to the ways, timing and guidelines established by the course of study. It will be based on an oral interview, with questions aiming at verifying the student's knowledge of the themes discussed during frontal lectures (only for attending students) as well as those treated in the program's compulsory readings.

The assessment will particularly focus on the skill displayed by the student in handling the material in the exam bibliography and his ability to find and use information and examples to illustrate and correlate the various themes and problems addressed in the course.

The assessment will thus examine the student's:

• factual knowledge of the subject;
• ability to summarize and analyze themes and concepts;
• familiarity with the terminology associated with the subject and his ability to use it effectively.

Top marks will be awarded to a student displaying an overall understanding of the topics discussed during the lectures, combined with a critical approach to the material and a confident and effective use of the appropriate terminology (30 cum laude and 30).

Average marks will be awarded to a student who has memorized the main points of the material and is able to summarise them satisfactorily and provide an effective critical commentary, while failing to display a complete command of the appropriate terminology (29-27).

A mnemonic knowledge of the subject, together with the capacity for synthesis and analysis articulated in a correct language, but not always appropriate, will lead to discreet evaluations (26-24).

Gaps in training and/or imprecise language - albeit in a context of minimal knowledge of the examination material - will lead to sufficient marks (23-21).

Training gaps and/or imprecise language - albeit in a context of minimal knowledge of the examination material - will lead to just enough grades (20-18).

Insufficient training, inappropriate language, lack of orientation within the bibliographic material will be evaluated negatively (<18).

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is necessary to contact the relevant University office [https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en] with ample time in advance: the office will propose some adjustments, which must in any case be submitted 15 days in advance to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of these in relation to the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

Audiovisual material from theatre, digital archives; platforms and websites.

Office hours

See the website of Matteo Paoletti