The Birth and Life of Opera

Opera was meant to infuse music and universal ideas into one place. It all began in Florence with a group of people known as the Camerata. Camerata wanted a new type of musical drama. An ultimate opera - "Dafne" the first attempt.

The first good opera was "L'Orfeo." The opera was about love, God, and the after life. Inspired by church music. Monteverdi wanted to move music quickly. He wanted the whole piece sung because usually singers are better singing than spoken. "L'Orefeo" created the passionate and dramatic birth of opera.

Opera in Florence than became popular in Venice. In short time there were 19 operas in Italy. Just like movies today, some operas had to do with what was accruing in history.

Universal compassion for all classes were used for rescue operas. After the first night of "La Muette de Portici" people were so inspired by the opera they marched up to their oppressors and confronted them. Opera has inspired countries to come together and create a national identity through it.

Les Mis or Phantom of the Opera can be found anywhere now and has created a gold mine. The opera is the parent of the musical and can be found side by side. The Grand Theater in Shanghai is incredible! From the shape of the building to its ability to hold 1800 people.

Every country needs to act out their rituals with some type of music. One of those ways is through the opera.

Mike Tompkins

What an incredible voice.

But that isn't the incredible part. How Mike put together all the elements into one video effortless is amazing. He had to think out and plan all the little music pieces and record himself doing simple "ohhs" to clapping to actually singing. Then once he all those pieces together to went even further.

He made a video showing himself doing all the little noises and elements to the song. There was so much thought and technology that behind this.

The best part is at the end when he shows how he did some of the noises to show people how he thought of all these things.

A High-Tech 'Das Rheingold'

This video was by far incredible. The integrate set that weighed 90,000 was just unbelievable. I could not believe that they were able to set up something like that on a stage. The costumes for the 'Das Rheingold' is absolutely amazing - all the detail and colors is just gorgeous. My favorite piece they showed was the bone dragon with it's scale and look it is obvious how much effort went into that not to mention everything else. Lastly the lighting of the performance looked incredible, what I believe is the hardest point, they nailed it.

Pjotr Sapegin's Madama Butterfly

What an odd piece. The combination of using a clay character and the typical "Ken" barbie doll was quite an unique contrast. It is a very deep story. First the meeting of the male and female, then the romance between the too. The love and romance is at the highest here, but then the male leaves (typical) and the female is left alone. She goes through the awful heartship and has to have a child on her own. Then time later, the male comes back takes the child and leaves with another woman. Which kind of reminded me of Brad and Angelia.

The animation was quite good, having to deal with a bit of the claymation and regular animation. Overall I didn't really care for it...

Opera

The other day in class we learned a lot of operas. It made me think of the Opera House that I went to in Naples, Italy.

But when I thought of operas I thought of something that was long and boring. But with the description of it being like today's modern day concerts it is much easier to picture why everyone wanted to go to this. 

I never knew the operas sought out were the Castrati. I can't believe they used to put boys in that situation when they are younger. But after listening to them it is no wonder why they were so sought after being the voice of "angles." 

It was very interesting to learn how incredible and jaw dropping these performances were. Not to mention how their influence has effected how we do things today with modern day musicals. 

Baroque Fireworks in Dubai

These fireworks were absolutely incredible. The music they played in the background really added to the display. It was a bit awkward when they stopped the music for a bit. The music is not overpowering because you can still hear all the fireworks going off which makes you feel like you are actually there. The different types of fireworks keeps your attention throughout the whole thing.

It is obvious that the people there are engulfed by the show and are completely quiet though the whole piece until it ends where they all applaud.

Jonty Hurwitz

The first class we got to look at quite a few amazing artists. The one that stuck out the most to me is Jonty Hurwitz and his sculptures.

The process of how he creates the frog is very creative. How he started by seeing it in the reflection. Then putting it in the computer and then using new technology sending the information out and it creates a 3D model.

What stuck out the most about the sculpture is that unless you have something to reflect the sculpture, you might not be able to figure out what it actually is. I enjoy that all his pieces need another media to see the outcome of his piece.

About Me

I'm a Junior right now studying digital arts with a concentration in 3D animation. Modeling is my favorite thing to do in Maya. I just got back from studying abroad in New Zealand for a semester.

As of right now I am taking this course as a requirement. Hopefully I get out more than just a passing grade!