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Opera Comparison

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Submitted By KarmaShu
Words 1140
Pages 5
Sheyu Shu 12 March 2016
PERF-215: Opera Written Response #1

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, whose name inspires large number of people through the world. As one of the greatest composers, he has divers works that impact the whole music world. Don Giovanni and the Marriage of Figaro are the symbols of Mozart’s operas. The Marriage of Figaro is a humorous story that everyone in the castle has a happy ending at the end. However, Don Giovanni, one of the greatest operas in the world, is controversial since it first appeared. Some people think they have many commons, the others think they are totally different. In order to have a better understanding of these two famous operas, analyzing theirs similarities and difference will assist me to access Mozart’s opera world.
As the opera productions of Mozart, it is obviously that both Don Giovanni and the Marriage of Figaro have several similarities. First of all, the count in the Marriage of Figaro and Don Giovanni in Don Giovanni are aristocrats, who uses their privileged position in classes and social to achieve sexual license in both features: in Figaro, the count is disloyal with his countess to convince Susanna to accompany him to a trip before her wedding; in Don Giovanni, the main character tries to control everyone, especially women he encounters, without fear and moral. Unfortunately, both female characters in these two feature reject the males’ requests: Susanna rejects the count’s advice and helps him back to his countess tactfully; Donna Anna also tenacious resist Don Giovanni’s violence and finally unite Donna Elvira and Don Ottavio to against Don Giovanni. Moreover, both operas uses similar voice types to express different characters’ characteristics. For example, countess, Donna Anna and Zerlina are soprano, count and Don Giovanni are baritones. Furthermore, the atmosphere those two features bring to audience is also similar. Both of them have comic tone but infuses some dramatic and serious characters or events, such as wedding in Figaro and murdering scene in Don Giovanni. Even though the Marriage of Figaro and Don Giovanni have commons, they are still two different works. Don Giovanni has exclusive weight in the opera, not only his success with ladies, his murder or his pride. This opera is dominated by Don Giovanni that whether he is on the stage or not, everyone is nevertheless talking about him. However, Figaro has vital role for every events’ occurrence and ending in the Marriage of Figaro, but he is more like a bridge, who balances all other main characters --- count, countess and servants. In addition, although Susanna, Figaro, and Leporello are all servants, their behaviors are very different from each other. Leporello dislikes to work for Don Giovanni, but he has no choice that he complies every order that is given by Don Giovanni. However, unlike Leporello feels indignant but not dare to speak out, Susanna and Figaro make some plans to against the count to protect their love and rights. The famous selection “Se vuo ballare” shows Figaro’s courage and strong.
If anyone asks me which scene of Don Giovanni I have most comments, the final of Don Giovanni is definitely the one. Some people say that the ending of Don Giovanni is terrifying. I agree with this idea. It is scaring that commentatore has come to attend Don Giovanni’s absurd appointment with his freezing hand and purpose of punishing Don Giovanni. However, I also find it is affording general satisfaction that Don Giovanni receives his “reward” which he should receive. He is a cocky guy who is addicted to the kingdom he builds by himself, thus, he never believes any person or any belief outside of his world. Therefore, he denies his fault and receives his invitation to hell. The music in this part is different from the other parts. It is serious when commentatore is asking Don Giovanni’s confession since his voice is so powerful that he is the one who challenges Don Giovanni to a duel. As a dramatic bass, commentatore shows the voice comes from a stone that has an overwhelming weight of divine retribution and damnation. Generally, the music of Don Giovanni’s final is heavy, dark and thought-provoking. Comparing to Don Giovanni, the Marriage of Figaro’s ending is a universal celebration. Although Figaro, Susanna, count and countess have some misunderstanding at the beginning, at the end, Figaro and Susanna make peace and conclude a comedy ending; count finally notices that he has given the ring to his wife, with sense of shame, he asks countess’s forgiveness and they also have a contented result. The music at Figaro and Susanna’s part is light, bright, humorous and happy, which expresses their positive and optimistic characteristics and beautiful love. When it comes to count and countess’s part, music becomes slower and warmer, which shows countess’s kind and tolerant nature. Then everyone stands up and sing together, the music is powerful and touched, which makes everybody wants to celebrate their happiness. Even though the drama and music for these two features are different, no one can deny that both of them are attracting that audiences’ feeling controls by the plot and music.
By comparing these two operas, I would say I like the Marriage of Figaro more than Don Giovanni. For Don Giovanni, some people claim that Don Giovanni is a symbol of independent thinking and actions who stands against church and convention; some people think Don Giovanni is murderer and rapist who should takes responsibility for his bad actions. It is obviously that Don Giovanni’s characteristics make this character becomes a typical disgusting and unacceptable role for female audience. In addition, I think Don Giovanni is too valued in the opera that other characters are all turned around him. However, the Marriage of Figaro is different. Although it is not a complete happy story according to some scenes like the countess’s solo selection “Porgi Amour” and Cherubino’s selection “Non so piu cosa son, cosa faccio”, the main tune in this opera is humorous, bright, and dramatic. I find that many parts make me laugh no matter how many times I watch it. That is to say this opera is very attractive and interesting that I will never feel bored to watch it, which is too hard to achieve it. Every character in Figaro is realistic. They are all emotional and full of passion. I love Susanna who is a smart, brave and kind girl that she knows her different roles in different situations. The reasons that Figaro is so memorable is not only the characters and lyrics, but also Mozart’s melody and characters’ expression. A lot of selections are well-known and become popular for students who want to study opera. Overall, I personally think the Marriage of Figaro is a great opera to appreciate as an audience and to study as a student.

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