The aim of this course is to give you new ways of listening to opera, whether you are getting to know the form for the first time or you are already familiar with it and looking for something unusual.
Together we will explore a wide variety of operas and their social and cultural contexts, ranging from the eighteenth century to the present day, catering to all tastes. If you are new to the genre, you will get to hear some of the most famous works in the form. If you are more familiar with opera, you will gain fresh perspectives on the works you already know, and will have the opportunity to discover some less well-known works as well.
The course will introduce the various elements of opera production in the first term, and will explore some of the more general ideas around opera in the second term (separate enrollment later). Each class takes a single opera as a case study and considers its composer, context, themes, and production through rich audio-visual material.
Discussions will range across music, staging, characterisation, plot, and performance traditions, enabling learners to critically engage with the opera as both an art form and a social product.
The tutor, Dr Bruno Bower (FHEA, FRSA), is a lively and enthusiastic tutor whose love of music is infectious. He is a musicologist, performer, composer, and music editor, as well as a highly experienced teacher. He currently teaches at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Imperial College London. He is also the principal oboist of West London Sinfonia and the cor anglais player for Chelsea Opera Group.
Lectures will take place on the following Fridays:
October: 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd
November: 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
December: 4th
Cost: £200
Two-Part Ticketing Process: This is a unique joint venture between KCWC and Imperial College, so there is a two part ticketing process:
Step #1: Please use the normal KCWC ticket purchase process in the "Tickets" section below (there is no charge, but we need you registered on the KCWC system for tracking and communication purposes).
Step #2: Please make your actual payment directly to Imperial College using the link below. You must use the "Internal rate (Friends & Family)" to get the £200 price.
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/evening-classes/winter-courses-list/discovering-opera-daytime/
For any queries, please contact activity leader Eve Mitleton-Kelly at opera@kcwc.org.uk
