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Spring 2001 (3/1/01 - 4/5/01)
The Operas of Giuseppe Verdi
3/01: The Early Years (1839-1851) Verdi wrote 16 operas in 12 years, an intense period of composition he referred to as his "galley years". Ernani is quintessential early Verdi!
3/08: With Rigoletto, Verdi wrote his first unequivocal masterpiece. He would quickly follow with Il Trovatore, and La Traviata, completing his operatic triple crown.
3/15: By the time Verdi finished Un Ballo in Maschera ( A Masked Ball) he was the most famous opera composer in Italy and perhaps the world. He vowed that this opera would be his last. In fact, however, his greatest works were yet to come!
3/22: Verdi's final works are his greatest and they rocketed Italian Opera to a much higher orbit. In this class we'll start to consider the mature Verdi who composed until he was 85. We'll listen to great scenes from Falstaff and Otello. Then we'll begin a 2 part journey into the maestro's epic masterpiece, Don Carlos.
3/29: We'll devote the entire class to an opera that some believe is Verdi's greatest. Don Carlos has it all!
4/05: Why is Aida Verdi's most popular opera? In our Verdi finale, we'll try to answer that question.
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