Pieces:

–  Giuseppe Verdi “Ad una stella”

– Giuseppe Verdi “Lo spazzacamino”

– Giuseppe Verdi “Il tramonto”

– Giuseppe Verdi “Brindisi”

Date: March 28 2013

Venue: Carnegie Hall, Manhattan, NY

Performers:

Lawrence Brownlee, Tenor

Martin Katz, Piano

Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyV8Qbe-_x4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8zMCAKWdMU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8k4QwjaQ1g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rsciRaJVtE

Guiseppe Verdi was born in the Romanticism period, and was greatly honored as one of the most famous Italian opera composers in his time. The pieces I will analyze are “Ad una stella”(To a star), “Lo spazzacamino”(The chimney-sweep), “Il tramonto”(The Sunset), and “Brindisi”(Toast).

After reading American Theological Inquiry, I become aware that Verdi had not leaded a delighted life because he witnessed the death of his wife and children in his middle age. Since then, he alienated himself from the Catholic Church as he was not able to acquire relief from the religious practice. Verdi’s operas are known for their outstanding conflicts, as Verdi stated, “There is one thing the public will not tolerate in the theater: boredom.” Through the conflicts, Verdi’s operas were notable in stimulating excitement, joy or sadness. Verdi is also known for his unique techniques in organizing most of his reputable operas. 

One similarity among these four operas is the accompaniment—piano. “Ad na stella” has an andante tempo in contrast to “Brindisi” and “Lo spazzacamino” which have allegro tempo and a theme of joyful celebration. “Il tramonto” has relatively long libretto, in which it depicts the scenery of countryside to emphasize peace and quietness, yet the theme is sadness because the young lady has lost her lover, and the last part of the opera focus on describing her melancholy.

Bibliography:

American Theological Inquiry. Jul2012, Vol. 5 Issue 2, p59-65. 7p.