Come to the Opera

About this course

This course examines Italian opera from the first half of the 19th century through selected works by Rossini, Bellini and Donizetti. It considers the importance of singing, the demands of writing for prominent singers, and the characters, stories and themes found in these operas. Teaching combines presentations, guided listening, group discussion, recorded performances and musical illustrations at the piano. Historical and social context is considered alongside performance traditions, helping learners examine how these works were created and why they remain significant.

What you'll learn

• Explain key developments in Italian opera during the Bel Canto era.
• Identify important operas and characteristics of works by Rossini, Bellini and Donizetti.
• Discuss the roles of singing, vocal performance and composer-singer relationships in these operas.
• Relate operatic stories, characters and themes to their historical and social context.
• Use guided listening to examine recorded operatic performances and musical examples.

Is this course right for you?

The course is designed for complete beginners as well as experienced opera-goers, with no previous knowledge of opera required. Participation involves listening to recordings, considering musical examples, joining group discussions and sharing observations and questions.

• There is no formal assessment; learning is supported through discussion, participation and engagement with the course material.