Revolution And Artistry In Mozart and his Operas; A Deeper Look At The Marriage Of Figaro (1786); Don Giovanni (1787); And The Magic Flute (1791) written by Dylanna Fisher from Switching Styles.

 “The opera art form is the sum of many artistic expressions: theatrical drama, music, scenery, poetry, dance, acting and gestures. In opera, the composer is the dramatist who uses the expressive power of his music to express intense human conflicts. Opera’s sublime fusion of words, music and all the theatrical arts provides powerful theatre, an impact on one’s sensibilities that can reach the depths of the human soul.”

Fisher, B. D., (2005). Don Giovanni. Miami: Opera Journeys Publishing.

Opera as a Genre

Opera itself is a genre that combines several genres of artistic expression. When it comes to opera music, the composer needs to be a bit of all of the above: a dramatist, a writer, an artist, and not just a composer. When it comes to opera music, the composer needs to be a bit of all the above: a dramatist, a writer, an artist, and not just a composer. Mozart was each of those and used those influences to blend power and emotion into his works. Although opera is said to be a combination of various art forms, Mozart was rather apparent in his priorities. He said, “In an opera, poetry must be altogether the obedient daughter of music” (Fisher, 2005). 

“Mozart’s operas possess ingenious musical characterizations, his music brilliantly conveying and describing vital essences of the human personality and character” (Fisher, 2005). 

A Deeper look into Mozart and his operas.

Mozart lived between January 27, 1756, and December 5, 1791. Living only 35 years, he accomplished a tremendous amount in musical composition. His list of over 600 works includes forty-one symphonies, twenty-seven piano concertos, over thirty string quartets, several quintets, concertos, sonatas, and a legacy of sensational operas (Fisher, 2005). Mozart wrote nearly 20 operas between 1768 and 1791 for various European venues and patrons. A few of these include some of his later ones, which this review will be looking at more closely: The Marriage of Figaro (1786), Don Giovanni (1787), and The Magic Flute (1971).

During Mozart’s music career in the late eighteenth century, they had in style under the era of classical music. The features of this genre are both a contrast and a continuation to the previous style of the Baroqueroque period grandeur and overstatement. Classical music had the debating sides of natural music and pleasing variety, which were taken for granted that they went hand in hand. 

Don Giovanni

Don Giovanni is an Opera in Italian in two acts created by a collaboration between Mozart and Lorenzo Ca Ponte, a Venetian composer and poet. This opera contains the following characters: Don Giovanni, a Spanish nobleman; Leporello, his servant; Donna Anna, a noble lady; The Commendatore, Donna Anna’s father; Don Octavio; Donna Anna’s fiancé; Donna Elvira, a noble lady from Burgos, abandoned by Don Giovanni; Zerlina, a peasant girl; Masetto, Zerlina’s fiancé. Only portraying 24 hours, this storyline follows several characters in a dramatic story of seduction and retribution. The main character, Don Giovanni, spends the entire opera attempting to seduce many women. All this effort only to be thwarted by past attempts turned into scorned women. Every turn allows him to repent his sins. When he refuses for the last time, he is sent to hell as punishment.

The Marriage of Figaro

The Marriage of Figaro is a comedic opera that showcases class differences. Mozart and Lorenzo Da Ponte collaborated on this opera buffa featuring everyday characters. The character list includes Count Almaviva, Countess Rosina Almaviva, Susanna (the Countess’s maid), Figaro (the Count’s valet), Cherubino (the Count’s page), Marcellina (Doctor Bartolo’s housekeeper), Doctor Bartolo (a doctor and practicing lawyer from Seville), Basilio (music teacher), Don Curzio (judge), Barbarina (Antonio’s daughter), and Antonio (the Count’s gardener and Susanna’s uncle).

The opera is based on a stage comedy by Pierre Beaumarchais called “La Folle Journée Ou Le Mariage De Figaro.” It features servants who are portrayed as more intelligent than their masters. Like Don Giovanni, the nobleman is depicted as selfish, evil, and egotistical. Figaro outwits Count Almaviva and teaches him a lesson on faithfulness by marrying Susanna in the end.

The Magic Flute

The Magic Flute is one of Mozart’s most beloved works and also one of his last. Premiering on September 30, 1791, at Schikaneder’s theatre, it was conducted by Mozart himself. The opera features a diverse range of characters, including Tamino, Papageno, Pamina, The Queen of the Night, Sarastro, Three ladies, Monostatos, Three child spirits, a Speaker of the temple, Three priests, Papagena, Two armoured men, and Three enslaved people.

 Presented as a singspiel, the opera is structured with singing and spoken dialogue. The story follows the Queen of the Night’s attempt to save her daughter Pamina from the clutches of the high priest Sarastro. She persuades Prince Tamino to rescue her, but he soon learns of Sarastro’s ideals and ideas. Consequently, he seeks to join him, disregarding his previous mission. Tamino and Pamina then go through several obstacles and trials of initiation, both separately and together. Throughout the story, the characters face numerous challenges, including tests of loyalty, courage, and wisdom. Despite the ups and downs, the opera is a beautiful and enduring masterpiece that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

Concluding Thoughts Around Mozart 

In mere terms of musicality, Mozart’s work is classical and conforms to the musical standards of the time. His music is succinct, clear, and well-balanced, with developed ideas reaching a heightened emotional fullness (Fisher, 2005). All three operas focus on the average person defeating odds greater than they could imagine.

Citations

Dent, Edward J. (1973). Mozart’s Operas: A Critical Study. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-284001-0.

Fisher, B. D., (2005). Don Giovanni. Miami: Opera Journeys Publishing.

Mozart, W. A., & Da, P. L. (1960). The Marriage of Figaro: An Opera in Four Acts.

Mozart, W. A., Gruber, G., & Orel, A. (1970). Die Zauberflöte: The Magic Flute

Mozart, W. A., Macfarren, N., & Da, P. L. (1870). Don Giovanni: An Opera in Two Acts.