CLAS 301R Roman History and Opera
A team-taught historical survey designed to explore the reception of ancient Roman culture into Western opera. Selected episodes from Roman mythology and history will be studied and compared with operatic libretti based upon them. The course will also cover fundamentals of operatic form and performance practice, and consider the degree to which opera adapts Roman tradition to its own needs and priorities. Weekly listening and reading assignments in both primary and secondary literature, with a significant online resource component. Assessments: listening quizzes, short-response assignments, one major presentation, one term paper, midterm and final exams.
This course is taught at the Rome Campus.