Claudio Monteverdi
After seeing The Life and Birth of Opera I have developed deep respect and admiration toward opera.
At the beginning, it is said that is the type of music that creates the most emotions, excitement and passion. I definitely agree with that, especially after taking a class in which so many operas and composers where presented (and I found to be very interesting).
I was actually surprised to find out that the third opera presented (L' Orfeo, which I would love to see), the first composed by the amazing Claudio Monteverdi, was actually the starting point for opera's popularity and expansion. However, I am grateful for La Camerata, lead by Jacopo Corse and Giovanni De' Vardi, for actually creating opera in the first place. Opera is such a perfect combination of music, drama, poetry, design... and even dance! There is true harmony and transfer of emotions to the spectator. Although Dafne (the very first opera showed), nor Eurydice (the second one) weren't so successful, La Camerata actually created the base, the prototype of opera. It was Claudio Monteverdi who found opera's true potential.
I was also surprised by the impact opera had on politics, culture and revolution. How operas transmitted hidden messages to the people, making them fight for the respect of monarchy and for the freedom from unjust imprisonment.. is just amazing. Also, how opera actually shaped a country, like La Muette de Portici, which lead to revolution and the creation of Belgium. I must mention how composers were admired and made a change in their countries, like Giuseppe Verdi in Italy. The exploitation of Verdi's work by the Nazis really disappointed me, how they could take a masterpiece and basically use it for their own benefit, ruining its reputation along the way.
I honestly never thought that opera was also being shown and presented in China! It was actually very inspiring when they began to sing a song that was composed by Monteverdi. This truly shown the universality of the art that is opera.
I really liked this video and have acquired so much knowledge about opera and how it originated.
Sincerely,
Michelle :)
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