BocelliOnline

[Scarpia]

By far the best book I've ever read about opera is the musicologist Joseph Kerman's "Opera as Drama." This wonderful book is clearly modelled on two great critical works on spoken drama: Francis Fergusson's "The Idea of a Theatre" and Eric Bentley's "The Playwright as Thinker." Like his predecessors, Kerman takes a hermeneutic approach. That is, he interprets the text of each work just as it stands, without much reference to historical, biographical or philosophical views. With each opera he takes you deep into the innermost core of its meanings.

He divides his book into chapters analyzing specific operas, including Gluck's "Orfeo," Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro," Verdi's "Otello" and Wagner's "Tristan and Isolde." His discussion of the latter work is where his book overlaps most closely with those of Fergusson and Bentley, who also deal with Wagner, though Bentley's view of Wagner differs sharply from Kerman's and Fergusson's perspectives. Personally I find Fergusson's and Kernan's interpretations to be more enlightening than Bentley's obviously post World War II analysis.

Kerman also touches on Twentieth Century Opera, though his judgments on Puccini and Richard Strauss may seem unacceptably harsh to some readers. Indeed his conclusion about the ending of "Tosca" ("the orchestra screams whatever comes into its head") bothers me as well. Nevertheless, the most important function of an authentic critic is to provoke readers, whether they agree or not, to think for themselves and form their own views. Kerman constantly provides challenging insights into the great operas he analyzes with exceptional intelligence.

Therefore I heartily recommend this book to those who desire a more meaningful discussion of opera than the usual chatty, coffee table or gossipy publications afford. I don't know if it's still in print, but you might find a copy in a secondhand bookstore or on the internet. Or you could look for it at your public library. Kerman's analyses of the tragic stature of "Orfeo" and the "kiss" motif in "Otello" are particularly brilliant. "Opera as Drama" has been useful to me in my academic work. It's also an indispensible guide for anyone who wants to learn more about opera. And it's a great read.

I hope others will suggest their own favourite books on opera. Best wishes to all.



Doug
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"If music be the food of love, play on"-Shakespeare.

[Scarpia]

Hi, Doug,

Well, nobody bothered to reply to my question about their favourite books on opera, so I suppose that no one here has ever read any of them. That's rather surprising considering the willingness of some folks to assert their opinions, and even claim expertise (!), regarding opera and other topics. Perhaps they gain their "knowledge" by osmosis.

So I guess I'll reply to my own post, since members of Bocelli Online apparently don't read. Or at least they don't read anything except each others' equally superficial internet chatter. That's sad, because people who don't read books never learn much about anything and never have much to say about it either, except for providing additional, useless internet chatter. (What a vicious circle of ignorance; talk about the blind leading the blind. Or the deaf?) Therefore they don't even learn much about Andrea Bocelli's singing.

But don't worry about it, Doug. Considering the mostly sluggish or non-existent responses by members of this "forum" to any substantive subject, you shouldn't expect much. Does anyone on this site actually appreciate the art of Andrea Bocelli and the operatic traditions he represents, instead of simply slobbering over him like a bunch of celebrity worshippers or infatuated schoolgirls? Given the degree of mind-numbing illiteracy evidenced here, they'll probably never even know why they liked Bocelli in the first place.

I wonder if this kind of ignorant fandom explains why many of my fellow aficionados of opera and of great singing tend to scorn Bocelli. They certainly do, if the opera forums I participate in are any indication. Howver, I disagree with them completely. I admire Bocelli and love his recordings, but at least I know my reasons for enjoying his art, and I can express them in plain English. I can also place him within the tradition of other great Italian tenors, which gives him historical significance as well.

Yet I should offer one qualification. Perhaps it's not actually Bocelli himself whom the members of those opera forums hold in contempt. Maybe it's his fans.


Cheers,

Doug
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"If music be the food of love, play on"-Shakespeare.

[Scarpia]

Hello, Doug,

I couldn't agree with you more.

Sincerely (sort of),

Doug
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"If music be the food of love, play on"-Shakespeare.

[Scarpia]

[Scarpia]

[Sally]

It's such a shame, Scarpia. I had enjoyed reading your posts previously, but now you seem to have lost the plot. Ah well. Back to my Stealers Wheels CDs!
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"Where are we REALLY going? Always home."

[Janice]

[Willma]

The Dougster: Well, nobody bothered to reply to my question about their favourite books on opera, so I suppose that no one here has ever read any of them.

Willma: Wrong conclusion! People here are so busy reading books about opera they don’t have the time to reply but, as luck would have it, I do! My favorite opera book is entitled “The Revenge of the Castrati”.

Douglas: So I guess I'll reply to my own post, since members of Bocelli Online apparently don't read.

Willma: You are encountering the fate of many in the world of opera. They start talking to themselves because nobody cares. Even people who DO care about opera don’t talk to you. What about William Littler?
Maybe it’s not opera that’s the problem. Maybe it’s you.

Douglas: Or at least they don't read anything except each others' equally superficial internet chatter. That's sad, because people who don't read books never learn much about anything and never have much to say about it either, except for providing additional, useless internet chatter. (What a vicious circle of ignorance; talk about the blind leading the blind. Or the deaf?) Therefore they don't even learn much about Andrea Bocelli's singing.

Willma: Isn’t that being rather judgemental - “superficial internet chatter” indeed! No one chatters more than you in hot pursuit of an audience. And one more thing here - you be careful boy! We don’t talk about the blind leading the blind. How insensitive can you get!
That’s far more offensive in my book than the fat lady singing. At least the fat lady can loose weight if she chooses to do so. If enough people tell her she’s going to get CHF or diabetes or arthritis; that she’s contributing big time to health care costs, she just might get her act together and slim down. Not so the blind, the deaf or the lame.

Doug: But don't worry about it, Doug. Considering the mostly sluggish or non-existent responses by members of this "forum" to any substantive subject, you shouldn't expect much.


Willma: Just a minute, big guy. Aren’t you the one trying to say that opera isn’t about “concepts” just beautiful music? If people here can’t handle a “substantive subject”, they’re following your tradition of avoiding ideas and plots which you seemed to have lost - as Sally as so kindly noted. You actually avoid hard questions that beg for answers. For example, why do fatty deposits in the chest cavity make for a “better” voice. What is it about girth that works for the trained voice? Answer the question, Mr. Big Opera Guy! You would have us believe that opera is about nothing, just meaningless vocalization - grunts, bellows, screeches and an occasional trill.

Dug: Does anyone on this site actually appreciate the art of Andrea Bocelli and the operatic traditions he represents, instead of simply slobbering over him like a bunch of celebrity worshippers or infatuated schoolgirls?

Willma: Who in the world are you talking about!!? Andrea Bocelli’s family could have cared less about opera. Their tradition was soap opera and O Solo Mio. They’re into it now because they’ve hit pay dirt - but his kids hate it. His wife hated it and he married her knowing she had the hots for Prince. Then she left him - I guess you know the story. So what “traditions” have you cooked up, fabricated, in your own mind that he’s suppose to be representing? Serious opera folks - or at least the ones I’ve hung around with - don’t consider him an opera singer.

Andrea Bocelli is a sexy guy with incredible looks, a compelling story and a beautiful voice. He, personally, loves opera and most of us personally love him.

Doug: Given the degree of mind-numbing illiteracy evidenced here, they'll probably never even know why they liked Bocelli in the first place.

Willma: Let me assure you, Doug, dear. We KNOW why we like him. His lists are in a class all their own. Maybe you don’t get that but then again, maybe you do. It’s called list envy. Maybe you’re slobbering over him yourself and are sublimated your urges into some opera crapola.

And school girls? Don’t think so Doug. We’re middle aged, liberated women who could make the Queen of the Night look like Shirley Temple.

Douglas: I wonder if this kind of ignorant fandom explains why many of my fellow aficionados of opera and of great singing tend to scorn Bocelli.

Willma: No. Don’t lay that on the fans. The reason why your fellow aficionados scorn Bocelli is because he is not an opera star and does not have “the instrument” - and you should know this, Douglas. What he does have is a beautiful natural voice.

Douglas: They certainly do, if the opera forums I participate in are any indication.

Willma: You are correct in this.

Doug: However, I disagree with them completely. I admire Bocelli and love his recordings, but at least I know my reasons for enjoying his art, and I can express them in plain English.

Willma: I know my reasons too and I express them in plain English as well. What’s more, I never use pompous, silly words like “aficionados” to impress others with my erudition.

Douglas: I can also place him within the tradition of other great Italian tenors, which gives him historical significance as well.

Willma: Completely ridiculous! You placing him somewhere gives him historical significance? What is wrong with you? Do you ever reread what you write? Place him wherever you want and it doesn’t amount to a hill of beans.

Douglas: Yet I should offer one qualification. Perhaps it's not actually Bocelli himself whom the members of those opera forums hold in contempt. Maybe it's his fans.

Willma: And you’re one of those fans. God help us!


Doug: Cheers,

Willma: What a phony thing to say. What person from Vancouver ever says “Cheers” except you? It’s hypocritical. Doug. After you attack Bocelli fans as illiterate, slobbering, ignorant schoolgirls, you wish us to be cheerful?

BUT, I must say, I have developed a sort of fondness for you - though I still don’t want to see your lists even if the offer is still on the table. Although you state you will not talk to me directly, who actually do you think you’re talking to? Wait a second - to whom are you speaking - that’s better, ain’t it? Do you have illusions of grandeur - that a large audience here is hanging on your every word. Not so, Douglas. But I do listen to you and when I talk or write - I picture a big bullseye right in the middle of your forehead - the forehead of an aficionado. Good night, Sweet dreams!
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Although, in his life, he was often called the imbecile from Illinois, history has proven otherwise.

[Scarpia]

Well, I finally got a reaction from some people, which was the whole point. Funny how nobody bothered to reply to this thread until I put on a vaudeville show! It was a joke, for Heaven's sake! Doesn't anyone here have a sense of humour? BTW, Janice, you all rose to the bait! But at least it's a sign of life. Bye.

[Scarpia]

[Fantom]

Janice, your post was wonderful! I agree with everything you said.

Sally, good to see you lurking!

Willma, it's "O Sole Mio" not "O Solo Mio." A common mistake, but better be careful with the Dougster hanging around.

To all, thanks for the entertainment. Wish I had time for a more lengthy reply but this will have to do for now. I'm too busy making my lists.

And to Doug, "Cheers...and Bye bye!"
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Fantom

[Melodie]

Confession #1 - no, I've never read a book on opera and probably never will.

Confession #2 - I read.

Confession #3 - I'm tempted to reply to your last conversation with yourself, Doug - and address some of the ignorant conclusions you've reached about the intelligence of the members of this site - but I simply don't have the time.

Melodie