Assignment #9- Concert

On October 19, 2010 at 7:30pm, I was able to experience the USC Symphony Orchestra at the Koger Center.  During this time I had the opportunity to hear the melodic music of Wendy Warner, one of the world's leading cellists.    Not only was I able to listen to her performance, but I was also able to experience a piece from the Symphony Orchestra by William Schuman and Robert Schumann.  This symphony celebrated 100 and 200 years of the composers' births and I was able to see the etiquette that was displayed through the conductor as well as those included in the symphony.  The orchestra sits in a semi-circular fashion on a proscenium stage and all face the conductor.  In this order, they are organized by the type of instrument they play.  The arrangement uses a form of rhythm and variety that allows for different instruments to play at different times and then eventually all come together.  This was a first time experience for me and I had no idea of what went into an orchestra.  During the performance with Wendy Warner, the cello seemed to be the main instrument through her 'solo' as well as the other cellists in the performance.  This showed emphasis and the focus on the instrument of the cello.  The mood of the art of the symphony was a variety of symphonic melodies that were soothing and calming as well as those that were more climatic.  Although I feel that this work of art was successful by the audience's reaction, it was definitely not one of my favorites.  I am more of a visual person and watching a performance that provided only an audio experience did not satisfy my enjoyment.  I do however, enjoy watching films that include symphony music.

Assignment #8- Play

Set in Longstreet Theater on November 14, 2010, Big Love is a play based on Aeschylus' Suppliant Women, which is one of the oldest recorded dramas.  This story is about 50 sister brides who leave their 50 brother grooms on the day of their wedding and flee for Italy.  The inclusion of music, lights, dance, and movement, the play Big Love allows for the ideas from Suppliant Women to become integrated in a more interesting way.  A theater-in-the-round, Longstreet Theater is provided an interesting way for the audience to experience the show.  The actors had to play to both sides, since the audience sits on both sides of the stage.  I really enjoyed this different type of stage because it allowed me to watch a play in a way that I had never done so before as well as see the reaction of other audience members.  This was especially enjoyable during the scenes that involved dancing and fighting.  Also, the simplicity of the set with the combination of the lights and sound provided the mood of each scene to be shown through the actors performance.  During this performance, it was easy to see what the director was trying to get across.  Taking one of the oldest dramas and connecting it with music that is both rock and opera inspired allowed for an enjoyable experience that was successful not only by the director, but also the actors and actresses.  This play also provided variety through the different types of music in combination with the dance and fighting scenes.  Balance and symmetry was also evident in the combination of the simple sets and costumes of the performers.  Having the opportunity to watch this play allowed for me to see the evolution of a play into a modern light as well as have an enjoyable experience while doing so. 

Assignment #7- Dance

Choreographed by William Starrett, "Dracula" was performed by the Columbia City Ballet October 28-30th, 2010.  Having the opportunity to attend the opening night of this extraordinary ballet, I was able to have an experience that qualified under a multitude of dances.  From contemporary to traditional ballet, "Dracula" definitely qualified the idea of 'ballet with a bite'.  This ballet also used modern music that connected an older story with a modern twist.  This aesthetic experience allowed me to look at ballet in a different light than I typically do.  Growing up in dance and ballet, I always watched dances and thought about the technique the dancers used and how they connected with the music.  During this ballet, I could actually feel and connect with the music as well as the dancers.  Also, the use of rhythm and "ripple" effects during the ballet provided balance and symmetry to take place in each dance.  Not only were the dancers involved in movement for majority of the ballet, but also the use of acting allowed the ballet to provide unity between the dancers.  The mood of this ballet was very dark and really got me in the mood for Halloween.  The effects that were used provided the ballet with a more "dark" image and also kept me on the edge of my seat at times.  Having the opportunity to see the connections made with the dancers as well as the music allowed me to have a successful experience while watching this ballet.  I feel as though this ballet was very successful on providing the elements of art and principles of design as well as providing an enjoyable experience for the audience that attended.

Assignment #10- Opera & Musical Theater

Set in Beijing, China during legendary times, Turandot is an opera that is dissected into three acts.  In an attempt to have Turandot wed, a Mandarin proposes that princes must answer her three riddles.  Many fail over the course of the opera.  One man tells Turandot that if she tells his name then he will die, in attempts to gain her love.  After a passionate kiss, the Prince reveals his name to Turandot as Calaf.  When the two approach the Emporer's throne, she admits to knowing his name, which she calls love.

Two operas by Mozart include "Don Giovanni", completed in 1787, and "The Magic Flute", completed in 1791.

An opera is a combination of musical accompanies which make up a story.  It include small conversations between each set of music.  A light opera, or operetta, may or may not include a story.  It is very light and sometimes humorous.  The music is happy.  Operettas may also "make fun" of the seriousness of a grand opera.

Assignment #12- Music

The time in this sheet of music is 4/4.  This mean that each measure gets four beats.  The solid green G, a quarter note, receives one beat.  When the green G is open, a half note, it receives two beats.  The space between one dark vertical line and another dark vertical line is called a measure.  The song shown, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, is shown in Treble Clef and is organized in measures for the musician.

Written by Sergei Prokofiev in 1936, "Peter and the Wolf" is a children's story that uses orchestral instruments.  I had never heard or seen Peter and the Wolf and found it very interesting when we were able to watch it in class.  Each character in this story is portrayed by a different musical instrument and theme.  Peter is played by strings in the orchestra and the wolf is played by the french horns.  Other instruments in this musical film include, the bassoon which is played as the Grandfather, the flute which is played as the bird, the duck is played by the oboe, as well as the hunters are played by the timpani.  I do not remember an alligator in the story, however the clarinet was used to play for the cat.  I felt as though this film was very interesting and the music allowed the story to provide a more dramatic appeal.  I would love to watch other versions to see the differences.

Assignment #11- Phantom of the Opera

Watching The Phantom of the Opera in class made me think about my childhood.  As weird as that seems, I danced a solo to the song The Phantom of the Opera when I was younger.  I loved being able to watch the film and listen to the music that it portrayed.  Seeing the ballerinas in the opera allowed me to have an aesthetic experience and think about the memories that I created through the music from this Opera as a child.  I have seen many musicals including Wicked and Mamma Mia.  Although Wicked is still my favorite Broadway musical, watching the Phantom of the Opera allowed me to notice the some of the art disciplines we have talked about in class including: dance, music, theater, film, and sculpture.

One of my favorite songs from The Phantom of the Opera is "Think of Me".  During this scene, Christine Daae is chosen to take over the leading role when Carlotta quits.  The scene shows her standing on stage when she first shows the new owners of the Opera that she is capable and then changes to her first performance in the Opera.  Also during this scene, Raoul sings back to Christine during the song.  Another scene that occurs during this song is when it shows the Phantom listening to her first performance. Following the song, Christine is taken by the Phantom while in her dressing room.  This song is very beautiful and the notes that she hits at the end of the song almost take your breath away.

Assignment #6- Theater

Shown in the diagram on Dr. Heid's blog is a Proscenium stage which includes an apron.  An apron is part of the stage that "juts" out into the audience, past the proscenium.  The diagram also shows many other parts such as the main curtain and border, the auditorium or seating area, and the off stage where the actors and actresses prepare for each scene.  It also labels many of the props as well as stage right and audience right.

1. Proscenium

2. Not Labeled.

3. Off Stage    

4. Main Curtain

5. Apron

6. Auditorium

7. Border

Pictured is the Proscenium arch stage.