Journey through operatic masterpieces of two eras as you discover the artistic evolution from Handel's Giulio Cesare to Mozart's Don Giovanni.
Journey through operatic masterpieces of two eras as you discover the artistic evolution from Handel's Giulio Cesare to Mozart's Don Giovanni.
Immerse yourself in the captivating world of 18th-century opera with this engaging course from Harvard University. Over five weeks, you'll delve into two magnificent operas: Handel's "Giulio Cesare" and Mozart's "Don Giovanni". The course transports you to the premieres of these masterpieces, offering a unique glimpse into the musical and cultural landscapes of 1724 London and 1787 Prague. You'll explore the characteristics of Italian Baroque opera seria and discover Mozart's revolutionary approach to musical drama. Through in-depth analysis of these works, you'll gain insights into the evolution of operatic styles, the interplay between singers and orchestra, and the social contexts surrounding these performances. This course offers a rich, multifaceted exploration of two pivotal works in the history of opera, enhancing your appreciation of 18th-century music and its enduring impact.
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What you'll learn
Understand the interaction between singers and orchestra in 18th-century opera
Explore how performances of Handel's and Mozart's operas have evolved since their premieres
Identify and analyze the basic structures of Baroque opera
Recognize essential characteristics of Classical music in the context of opera
Examine Mozart's techniques for representing characters through music
Compare the social and cultural contexts of the two opera premieres
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
PreRecorded video
Graded assignments, exams
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Limited Access access
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Module Description
This course offers an in-depth exploration of 18th-century opera through two masterpieces: Handel's "Giulio Cesare" and Mozart's "Don Giovanni". Students will journey through time to experience the premieres of these operas in their original settings - London in 1724 and Prague in 1787. The curriculum covers the characteristics of Italian Baroque opera seria, the evolution of operatic styles, and Mozart's innovative approach to musical drama. Students will learn about the interaction between singers and orchestra, the historical performance practices, and how these works have been interpreted over time. The course also examines the social and cultural contexts of the premieres, providing a rich understanding of the role of opera in 18th-century society. Through comparative analysis, students will gain insights into the development of operatic forms and techniques from the Baroque to the Classical period.
Fee Structure
Instructor

11 Courses
Prominent Scholar Advancing Musicology and Early Music Performance
Thomas Forrest Kelly is the Morton B. Knafel Professor of Music at Harvard University, specializing in performance practice, early music, and liturgical music. He earned his BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his PhD from Harvard, where he has been a faculty member since 1997. His influential works include "The Beneventan Chant," which received the Otto Kinkeldey Award from the American Musicological Society, and "Capturing Music: The Story of Notation." Kelly has also authored "Early Music: A Very Short Introduction" and "First Nights," which explores significant musical premieres throughout history. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and has received numerous accolades, including being named a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres by the French Republic. His extensive contributions to musicology encompass research on medieval music and its performance, as well as teaching at various prestigious institutions. Through his scholarly work and active participation in the music community, Kelly continues to influence the understanding and appreciation of early music traditions.
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4.9 course rating
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