Ru
EnG. Taraeva
Stage realizations of opera in the light of historical concepts
The article presents the characteristics of the stage life of the opera genre, elucidated at different periods of historical time. The main criteria are widespread views, content priorities and assessments expressed by the public. The focus of research attention is conceptual interpretations of opera performances put forward by famous singers and conductors, directors and stage designers. These interpretations are related to the ideological attitudes, social aspirations, mental stereotypes of the “consumer” of an opera performance of one or another cultural era in the history of the New and Modern Times – the European listener-spectator. These attitudes and stereotypes are generally formulated and positioned by the author of the article as “historical concepts”. In particular, the priority of staging luxury and the vocal art of Bel canto, inherent in the opera art of the 17th century, is emphasized. This concept is later replaced by another – the cult of composers, creators of opera masterpieces. The said tendency is established and dominates in musical theatre throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. The last quarter of the 19th century marks the beginning of the era of opera idols – outstanding performers (singers and conductors), which lasted until the middle of the 20th century. The next turn in the history of world opera is associated with the dominance of director’s interpretations, observed in the second half of the 20th and early 21st centuries. In parallel with this, the historical phase of the formation and subsequent flourishing of film opera begins. The current problems related to the functioning of opera performances in the modern media space (various forms of broadcasting, interaction with Internet culture, the latest “opera quests”, etc.) deserve special consideration.
Key words
opera performance, stage interpretation of opera, musical performing art, production of opera, historical concepts of perception the opera genre.
For citation
Taraeva G. Stage realizations of opera in the light of historical concepts. In: South-Russian Musical Anthology. 2024. No. 4. Pp. 111–119.
