A Concert Report The Italian Girls in Algiers - Personal Statement Example

A Concert Report – The Italian Girls in Algiers Order No. 762067 Introduction I was really glad to get the opportunity to attend one of the best operas of our time because my professor gave me two tickets to the concert. The opera was “The Italian Girl in Algiers” presented by the Houston Grand Opera. The date of the concert was on 26th October, 2012 at 7.30 p.m. Since I had two tickets, I took my friend along and we reached the venue well ahead of time. There were huge crowds of people busily talking and discussing about the shows performers. We took a look at the colourful posters and pamphlets that had details about the pieces that were to be performed along with a synopsis of the opera with its different characters. At 7.20p.m, the usherer sent us inside and we took our seats which were quite convenient in front of the stage. We switched off our mobiles just before the curtains went up. A pre- curtain lecture was given about 45 minutes before the performance and the audience was briefed about the important points of the opera which gave us good insight as to what was to be expected. This briefing gave us details of the composer, the conductor, the performers and the musical instruments used in this presentation. “The Italian Girl in Algiers” or L’italiana in Algeri, composed in the year 1813, is one of the most scintillating and popular operas by Gioacchino Rossini (1792 – 1868) that had an attractive score punctuated with brilliant orchestration and melodies sprinkled with wit and cheer. This production was made even more memorable because its audiences laughed and smiled making the performance all the more enjoyable. The music characterizes Rossini’s style of fusion of strong energy and pristine elegant melody. Rossini composed this piece – “The Italian Girl in Algiers, at the young age of 21 and completed it in less than a month. He is well noted for his operatic composition of mixing the opera seria style in opera buffa. The opera which was so well received is performed and recorded all over the world even today. The piece begins with a slow pizzicato bass and flourishes suddenly with an energetic burst of sound from the entire orchestra, giving it a semi- comic effect. 5. The main Performers Daniela Barcellona, from Italy, a specialist in the bel canto repertoire, was the artist who had sung for the role of Isabella, in ‘The Italian Girl in Algiers”. (2012) She is an internationally renowned performer and is well known for her breathtaking performances in operas and has a range that is truly impressive. Her timbre is that of a mezzo soprano with a beautiful voice that has no artificiality about it. Lawrence Brownlee, who had donned the part of Lindoro in the opera, is considered to be one of the best bel canto tenors of the world. The artist had a wide range and was used with great force to deliver enough punch to reach the audiences well. His piece by Rossini required good ornamentation, trills and fast runs which he performed with such ease. Patrick Carfizzi performed the part of the cunning Turk Mustafa and sang with much power in his voice. He is a real scene stealer with all his comic behavior. Carlo Rizzi was the Italian conductor who conducted the show and is well known for his extensive repertoire in conducting, On the musical front, Rossini’s brilliant composition impacted on performers and enlivened the show so much that it kept its audience spellbound from beginning to the end. Rossini’s score had the right blend of traditional classical opera style as well as the comic inclined pieces, so well woven together in the fabric of the opera that there was never a dull moment for the audience. In fact, on the other hand, the entire audiences’ attention was captured by the captivating performances by the performers. Some of the most captivating pieces in the program were the two cavatinas for Lindoro, ‘Languir per una bella’ performed during Act I and ‘Oh come il cor di giubilo’ that came in Act II. Both these pieces comprised of lilting melodic lines that were so attractive and soothing to listen to. The piece I liked the best in the opera comes in Act 1 Scene 13 – Settimino: Pria dividerci – Seguito e Stretta : Va Sossopra il mio cervello Typical to Rossini, this epic aria starts un-assumingly with the pizzicato. The pizzicato figuration continues over the theme on Oboe. It is followed by the Piccolo which in turn plays the same theme with little variations at the end of each phrase and concludes with ornamental endings. While the first ornamental ending finishes on the inverted cadence, the second ornamental ending finishes on the perfect cadence on the tonic harmony, bringing the small interlude to a conclusion. The entry of the voices marks the beginning of the aria. This entry of voices is quite unusual owing to the staccato style. The voices repeat the same Piccolo melody and the phrase ends with the same cadences, the first being an inverted followed by a perfect cadence on the tonic harmony. Followed by the lower string sections continuing with the pizzicato, the Violins answer with syncopated half beat fill-ins in broader notes. Over this the Soprano & Tenor proceed in a question and answer type rendition, wonderfully complementing each other. While the tenor answers for the second time, a transitional modulation to the tonic minor key is introduced. It is followed by a series of transitional modulations exploring a few more keys en route, yet faithfully retaining the question answer phrases. After completing a cycle of modulations the Bass voice is introduced, which effortlessly segues into the already established question and answer figurative phrases by the Soprano & Tenor. The syncopated phrasing of the base marks a definitive presence. At this point, the dialogue continues between the Bass and the Tenor. In the course of their dialogue new keys are explored making use of transitional modulation. At the end of the phrase they are joined by the Soprano and Alto providing the harmonic support that ends with staccato notes by the Soprano and alternated with the Tenor but without libretto. This phrase is repeated again with the backing of the choir with increased dynamics. This is followed by a very interesting lengthy section treated in a typical opera buffa style where an argument takes place between the Bass and Soprano with a subtle backing from the orchestra, which ends in a marching style reaching a crescendo. The mood suddenly changes with the intervention of the choir in a remote key. This is followed by a sudden increase in tempo wherein the bass and Soprano alternates in a loud, fast - paced, semiquaver runs. This is ably supported by the orchestra comprising of harmonic progression, occasionally accented on tutti cadence phrases. The tonic and dominant harmony plays a major role in the development of this fast- paced section. The final part of this aria demands the extreme virtuosity of all the soloists and also in terms of their range and the dynamics. The rhythm is definitive giving it a syncopated pattern that had great clarity of both voice and orchestration. I really loved this piece which was the highlight of the opera marking the end of the first act before the curtains were brought down for the interval. My personal impression of the program was that the opera was of a very high standard. All the performers did a phenomenal job of both acting and singing. I really liked the way the characters interacted with each other to lend more expression to their rendition. The music of Rossini was the highlight and binding factor of the entire performance. Each of the performers was greatly talented and suited their character very well and that is the reason why the show was a major success. The entire audience seemed to be enjoying the opera from start to finish because their responses were so spontaneous. Their clapping and cheering alternated with periods of silence proved that they were following the opera with deep interest. The character of Mustafa was a pivotal one as he interacted closely with the protagonists and often bursting out with comic humor and capturing the attention of the audience. However, the backbone of the opera was Rossini’s music that was spellbinding as it was entertaining. Another highlight of the show was that though the opera was performed completely in Italian, provision was made for an English translation, which made it quite easy for an English audience to follow and understand. I thoroughly enjoyed the show and really wouldn’t mind seeing it again. References Houston Grand Opera – The Italian Girl in Algiers https://www.houstongrandopera.org/italiangirlinalgierspress/ About L’italiana in Algeri (The Italian Girl in Algers http://www.bachtrack.com/about/l-italiana-in-algeri-the-italian-girl-in-algiers Read More