MUS 112(F) Music and the Dramatic Imagination

How have composers combined music and words to forge powerful dramatic statements? What cultural conventions and ideals guided their compositional efforts? In this course, we will explore these questions by considering how composers have used music to develop dramatic action, characterize players, and create moods. We will study examples of several musical genres (madrigal, opera, oratorio, song cycle, film score) representing a variety of historical periods. Our readings will range over a broad spectrum of topics and critical approaches, from music criticism to literary, historical, and sociological studies. Musical works by Monteverdi, Bach, Handel, Gluck, Mozart, Beethoven, Rossini, Schumann, Verdi, Wagner, Mussorgsky, Prokofiev, Berg, and Stravinsky will be considered. Evaluation will be based on class participation, two short quizzes, two short writing assignments, and a final project. No previous musical experience is required.

Hour: MCGRADE