| Opera is an artform which is largely | | | | librettist. But this is not always possible. |
| misunderstood by many people. Granted, it has | | | | Verdi was especially careful in preserving the spirit |
| always been a playground for the rich, but with | | | | of Shakespeare in all three operas he wrote using |
| the advent of DVDs opera is now available to | | | | the bard's poetry and verse. He admired the |
| everybody at reasonable cost. | | | | great writer for his sense of drama, his choice of |
| If you are interested in developing an interest in | | | | language and brevity of expression. |
| opera and the great joys that it offers you need | | | | If you like opera and if you want to really want |
| to understand some of the complexities of the | | | | to enjoy everything it has to offer, it is important |
| artform. Take the story and the music line, for | | | | to follow the text and relate it's significance to the |
| example. | | | | orginal version of either the author of the story |
| One of Giuseppe Verdi's early operas was | | | | or the poet. Opera is a fusion of both beautiful |
| Macbeth, based on Shakespeare's great drama. | | | | music and fine text designed to enhance the |
| Just what would Shakespeare have said to Verdi | | | | story and reveal the true identity of the |
| after hearing the opera Macbeth? Of course, this | | | | characters. |
| would not have been possible. Shakespeare was | | | | In this day and age and the availability of fine |
| well and truly dead by the time the opera was | | | | music through the electronic media, we are indeed |
| composed. However, would he have been | | | | fortunate to have the opportunity to spend some |
| satisfied with the manner in which Verdi used his | | | | of our leisure time in such pleasurable |
| text? | | | | circumstances. |
| Yet, it brings to mind a rather interesting question. | | | | With opera, greater enjoyment will be |
| What comes first in opera. Words or music? | | | | experienced when you follow the storyline and |
| Logically, they should be integrated and the | | | | combine its relevance to the music. |
| composer should work together with the poet or | | | | |