Pre-history of opera. Stage music in the Italian Renaissance 3106-PreHi-OG

Conversation course on musical-theatrical performances and spectacles in Renaissance Italy. Participants will learn about and discuss the contexts of the 15th and 16th century events that led to the development of a form of early modern musical theatre. Based on source materials, studies and recordings, the following topics will be considered: the reception of antiquity in the musical culture and stage events of the Italian Renaissance; the tendencies that preceded the shaping of the form of ‘dramma per musica’, or early opera; the links between music, theatre, poetry, power and politics in Italian celebrations of the 15th and 16th centuries; the style and instrumentation of the stage music of the time; the relationships between the authors and recipients of the work, i.e. patrons (commissioners), intellectual circles (academies), poets (librettists), set designers and composers.

Type of course

general courses

Course coordinators

Michał Sołtysik

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the participant:
– knows the basic terminology used in the study of Renaissance stage music in Italy [K_W02];
– has a structured knowledge of Italian ceremonial and musical-theatrical performances from the 15th and 16th centuries [K_W04];
– knows and understands the basic methods of analysis and interpretation of various products of musical culture applied in the following research traditions: historical, librettological, philosophical and theatrical [K_W06];
– can recognize the elements of musical culture related to stage music in the Italian Renaissance and to conduct their critical analysis and interpretation with the application of appropriate methods, which enable to define their meanings, social impact, as well as their place in the socio-cultural process [K_U04].

Assessment criteria

The conditions for passing the course are:
– attendance in classes;
– active participation in classes confirming the reading of the texts given by the lecturer;
– passing a test.

The grade will depend on:
– an evaluation of the activity in classes based on the reading of the texts given by the lecturer (50% of the final mark);
– an assessment of a written test (50% of the final mark).

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 3106-PreHi-OG in USOSweb