Melodies of Italy
Learn Italian through opera!
Course structure:
- 4 hours of general Italian in the mornings
- 1 hour dedicated to opera in the afternoon
Course objective:
To spread Italian culture through opera, engaging students emotionally with universal themes such as love, passion, jealousy, and the thirst for power as expressed in the operas themselves. The course aims to improve both listening and conversational skills in Italian through the analysis of famous arias.
Operas and themes analysed:
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The Barber of Seville and the theme of love and deception. This comic opera, appreciated for its humor and Rossini’s lively music, debuted at the Teatro Argentina in Rome on February 20, 1816. It is one of the most beloved and frequently performed operas in the Italian and global operatic repertoire. Analyzed aria: "Largo al factotum della città."
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Nabucco and the theme of freedom and love for the homeland against oppression and power. This opera by Giuseppe Verdi debuted at La Scala on March 9, 1842. Analyzed aria: "Va' pensiero," which became an Italian patriotic anthem.
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La Traviata and the theme of love and the social and moral conventions of the time. This opera by Giuseppe Verdi was first performed on March 6, 1853, at Teatro La Fenice in Venice. Analyzed aria: "Il brindisi".
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Madama Butterfly and the theme of unrequited love and cultural deception. This opera highlights the cultural differences between the West and the East, represented by the young Japanese geisha Butterfly and the American naval officer Pinkerton. Giacomo Puccini's opera was first presented at La Scala on February 17, 1904. Analyzed aria: "Un bel dì vedremo".
Final project:
Presentation session: Students will present to the class one of the operas discussed during the course, sharing the knowledge they have gained and improving their skills in Italian presentation and critical analysis.
Additional Notes:
- Participants must have at least an A2 level of Italian proficiency to attend this course.
| If you want to find out your level of Italian, please do our test. |
If you want to know the cost to study with us, take a look at our price list. |
If you are interested in this course, book your place now. |
| Test your knowledge of Italian | See prices | Enrol now |
|
If you want to find out your level of Italian, please do our test. |
|
If you want to know the cost to study with us, take a look at our price list. |
|
If you are interested in this course, book your place now. |