Trip to the Opera

My favorite composer is undoubtedly Mozart. To me, his music and style portray a sly sense of humor and playfulness present even in the 'heavy' morality opera, Don Giovanni. So, what does this have to do with Creative Arts?
Please click (or cut-and-paste) the link below and watch this interpretation of aria Deh Vieni Alla Finestra (Come to the Window) performed by Simon Keenlyside with Opera Portugal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDPcab-gcYs

Okay! The aria lyrics are in Italian (a popular and traditional language for opera) so do not worry if you cannot understand them - that's not the point right now. This performance lacks set design reflecting the story line - another reason I chose this particular version.
We do not know what the performer is saying and the sets do not give us information about his location, who he is singing to, etc.

After listening to the aria, how does the singer give us clues about the song? I'll give you a clue; does he sing like he is angry, sad or happy? How do you think his voice would sound if he was angry? How does the music add to the feeling of his song?

For our theatre students: when you are a different character on stage, how do you change your voice to show different emotions? How do you change your facial expressions? In your opinion, what do you think he is singing about by listening to the sound of his voice? Is it something sad, happy, silly, sweet, scary?


Your Challenge:
For our music students:
In general, music is another way to tell a story. Listen to the performance again - only close your eyes this time! In your opinion, what story does the music tell? What emotions does the song portray? What story does your music tell?
Your Challenge: play your favorite piece as though you were the following emotions: happy, sad, silly, angry, scared How does the emotion change the sound of the music?



For our art students: How can we show emotion by using colors? Listen to the music again...only grab a pen or pencil + sheet of paper and draw along with the music. What did you draw? If you could choose a color to tell the story of the song, what color would the song be in your opinion? Just using colors, what color would you use to describe happy? What about scared, silly, sad, angry?
Your Challenge: draw or paint while listening to your favorite songs. How does the music influence what you draw and the colors you use?

It is important to incorporate emotion and feeling into everything you create! It helps build your emotional intelligence - how you see & understand your emotions and the emotions of others.
Next time you are in an art, theatre or music lesson, talk to your instructor about emotions.