In this course you will learn:

Almost everyone begins their experience of opera with Puccini's three great masterpieces from the turn of the century, La Bohème, Tosca and Madama Butterfly. These three will not form part of this course, which focuses attention on his other scores.

As 2008 marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of opera's most popular opera composer, it is time for a retrospective and a reappraisal of his undoubted genius. We will gain a deeper appreciation for his musical and dramatic gifts and explore his adaptive skills with literary works. His superlative craftsmanship as an opera constructor will be demonstrated.

Course outline:

Week 1: March 18th 2008 - Manon Lescaut and the early works

Week 2: March 25th 2008 - Two Short Comedies -- Gianni Schicchi and La Rondine

Week 3: April 1st 2008 - Two Short Tragedies -- Suor Angelica and Il Tabarro

Week 4: April 8th 2008 - Turandot -- Puccini's confrontation of myth