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Learning Activity Sheet
Quarter 4 –MELC 1
Explaining the Plot, Musical and Theatrical
Elements of an Opera
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MUSIC GRADE 9
Quarter 4
Learning Activity Sheet No. 1 – Explaining the Plot, Musical and Theatrical Elements of
an Opera
First Edition, 2021
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Explains the plot, musical and theatrical elements of an opera after watching
video samples (MU9OP-Iva-g-1)
What is Opera?
Opera is a theatrical drama or comedy told in music through powerful, unamplified
voices. Opera combines several art forms – vocal and instrumental music, theater,
drama, visual art and often dance – into one complete theatrical experience. When
successfully produced, an opera’s directing, singing, acting, stage setting, lighting,
conducting and orchestral playing will create an unforgettable spectacle that can
move audiences to tears or elation – or both. This powerful appeal made opera the
most prestigious and lucrative genre for composers to write in for more than two
hundred years. The most famous operas performed today come from the period
between the composers George Frideric Handel (whose first opera was written
around 1705) and Richard Strauss (whose final opera was premiered in 1942).
Opera continues to be a prestigious and popular genre for composers to write in and
many new operas were performed every year.
The Basic Elements of an Opera
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costumes and lighting in a unique art form all its own. The word opera itself is an
Italian word derived from the Latin word opus, which means work (as in work of art).
THE CONDUCTOR
The conductor communicates information about the music and the timing of the
show to the singers on the stage and to the orchestra through the gestures he/she
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makes often using a baton. The conductor is usually addressed using the Italian term
as “maestro” or “maestra”.
THE DESIGNERS
Every element the audience sees on stage (the sets, costumes, light, wigs and
make-ups) requires a person with a special skill to plan and implement how that
element is going to enhance the story of the opera. Sets designers create sets that
transport the audience from different time and place. And that remains light enough
to move around during scene change and small enough to store in the theater’s
wings (space off to the side on the stage, out of the audience view). Costumes
designers must make it characters unique through what they wear. Lighting
designers take a theater that is normally completely dark use electric light and colors
to create different settings (night vs. day) and moods to draw the audience
attentions.
The following videos are some of the Romantic Period operas. Watch the
following and compare the videos by answering following the guide questions
below. Take note of the important details about the plot, the characters, musical
and theatrical elements present in the videos. You can acquire the videos at your
respected subject teacher or watch it online with these following link:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=zTDMvyj4TFg&feature
https://youtube.com/watch?v=lYrbdiee9SU&feature
Guide Questions:
1. What is the plot of the opera?
2. How did the actors use their volume, tempo and vocal quality?
3. Were the emotions true to the characters?
4. Was the music helpful to you while watching the video?
5. Were the costumes and make-ups true to the setting and characters?
6. What was your overall opinion of the opera?
7. Which video do you prefer? Why?
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V. REFLECTION
You have learned that one of the elements of an opera is that singing is the primary
method of expression. Lines are being sung by the characters rather than spoken. Is
it possible for trained opera singers to perform in the same way as the modern
musical play singers? Yes or No? Why?
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ACTIVITY 1:
Answers may vary.