The word opera means “The Work” which is an Italian word. It is a form of art which combines music and dance which is referred to as a libretto or musical text. According to Wikipedia, Libretto is a “text used in an extended musical work such as a opera, operetta, masque” and musical text which is sheet music hand written or printed in a form of music notation and uses modern musical symbols.
Opera originated in Italy around the end of the 16 century and soon spread to the rest of Europe.
Musicians such as Schultz in Germany, Lully in France, Purcell in England help to spread opera in the 17 century. It attracted such composers as Handel, Gluck and Mozart in Germany. Mozart's operas are well renowned today. Some of his most famous operas:“The Marriage of Figaro”, “Don Giovanni”, “Cosi Fan Tutte” and “the Magic Flute” are still widely performed today.
Operettas were first produced for the nobility. They hired most of the best composers and singers and paid them well, but Court operettas did not last for too long. By 1637, the idea of a season (carnival) developed and opera became a public affairs which was supported by the masses through ticket sales.
The First Black Composer
The First Black Opera Composer was Chevalier de Saint-George ( “Knight of Saint-George”). He became a superstar in 18 century France. He was born on Christmas Day, 1745 in the French-Caribbean Island of Guadeloupe to a Senegalese slave and a French colonialist. He was a best known for his Violin virtuoso and his admirers called him “Le Mozart Noir” (The Black Mozart). He also became the first black to lead France’s most important orchestras. He was also one of Europe's finest fencer, a master horseman. Wikipepedia pointed that while he was a young man he aquired “multiple reputations; as the best swordsman in France, as a violin virtuoso, and as a composer in the classical tradition ”. According to Wikipedia, he was known as the “King of Pop” in 18 century France. His genesis soon reached the United States, John Adams, the second U.S. President stated that “He is the most accomplished man in Europe, riding, running, shooting, fencing, dancing and music”
Saint-George and Racism
Inspite of his high position in French society, Saint-George was subjected to racism. During the 17 century, black population was on the rise in France. Slave owners were afraid that it was going to affect the slave trade, so they petition the king to issue an edit called the “Code Noir (Black Code) which called for seperation of the races. All blacks and mulattos were required to register with the clerk of the Admiralty. Saint George's lost his living standard and was almost plunged into poverty.
Musical Career
Saint-George musical career was long and wide. Wikipedia: “Saint-George wrote symphonies, roughly 25 concertos for violin and orchestra, string quartets, sonatas, and songs in the style of Mozart, Haydn and the composers of the "Mannheim school". He also wrote at least five operas with a possible sixth opera, Le droit de seigneur, disputed among music scholars. Excerpts from his first opera, Ernestine, were also used in an opera pastiche, Recueil d’airs et duos, along with music by other composers.”
Listed below are 3 of Saint George's violin conceiertos:
Chevalier de Saint George. concierto para Violin en C-dur.
SAINT-GEORGES chevalier de - concerto pour violon, RONDO.wmv
Joseph Boulogne Chevalier de Saint-Georges - Violin Concerto in A major, Op. 5, No. 2 - Largo
No comments
Post a Comment