Storytelling in Opera and Musical Theater

Storytelling in Opera and Musical Theater explores how sung forms of drama tell stories, focusing on character-narrators, music's role in orienting spectators, and performers' choices. It engages with current work in analytic philosophy and considers practical problems singers and directors confront. The study offers suggestions for how opera and musical theater can continue to entertain and enrich 21st-century audiences.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 06 October 2020
Publisher: Indiana University Press

Storytelling in Opera and Musical Theater delves into the intricate art of how sung forms of drama convey narratives. In this comprehensive exploration, Nina Penner examines the roles of character-narrators in opera and musicals, highlighting their distinct characteristics from those in literary and cinematic works. Through a rich tapestry of examples spanning from opera's origins to contemporary musicals, Penner explores how music serves as a powerful tool for orienting spectators to characters' perspectives, evoking feelings of sympathy or empathy by granting access to their inner thoughts and emotions. Moreover, she delves into the impact of performers' choices on the storytelling process, emphasizing how they shape not only the narrative but also the broader narrative arc.

What sets Penner's approach apart is her deep engagement with current work in analytic philosophy. Her study not only showcases the valuable resources that philosophy can bring to musicology but also reveals the reciprocal benefits that musicology can offer to philosophy. By challenging and refining accounts of narrative, point of view, and the work-performance relationship within both disciplines, Penner's work contributes to a more nuanced understanding of these complex concepts.

Furthermore, she addresses practical concerns that singers and directors encounter daily, such as navigating the problematic representations of race and religion in Wagner's operas and the Orientalist tropes found in many operas. Penner's reflections extend to broader questions about the enduring relevance of centuries-old works to contemporary audiences, exploring how they can attract new, diverse audiences to opera and musical theater. By examining how practitioners past and present have addressed these issues, Storytelling in Opera and Musical Theater offers insightful suggestions for how opera and musical theater can continue to entertain and enrich the lives of 21st-century audiences.

In conclusion, Storytelling in Opera and Musical Theater is a groundbreaking work that offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the art of storytelling in opera and musicals. Through her meticulous analysis and philosophical engagement, Penner sheds light on the unique roles of character-narrators, the power of music to convey perspectives, and the impact of performers' choices on the storytelling process. By bridging the gap between musicology and philosophy, Penner's study contributes to a richer understanding of narrative, point of view, and the enduring relevance of classical works to contemporary audiences. This book is a valuable resource for scholars, performers, and enthusiasts alike, as it provides valuable insights and practical recommendations for the continued evolution and enrichment of opera and musical theater in the 21st century.

Weight: 500g
Dimension: 157 x 234 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780253049971