Arts in New York City
Final Module Project
Fall 2017
Opera for the Modern Age
Opera has long been a medium for addressing and commenting on contemporary issues and concerns. In writing The Magic Flute, for example, Mozart sought both to entertain and to persuade his contemporaries to reject obscurantism and embrace enlightenment and reason. The opera’s overarching message would have been fairly clear to an audience attuned to the issues and topics of the day.
What present-day topics, issues or stories would make the basis for a good modern opera? Pick one that you think would attract contemporary audiences. Once you come up with a topic, sketch out the plot for a new modern opera based on that topic. Provide details about characters and scenes. You do not need to write an entire libretto, but should provide the level of detail found in the program notes for The Magic Flute by the Met Opera. You an encouraged to present your plot as an illustrated synopsis (like in the playbill), though a written synopsis will also be accepted. In your description (illustrated or written) include information about costume, stage sets, music, and lighting and how it will contribute to the overall message of your opera.
Final projects are due to the course e-portfolio site by December 15 at 11:59 pm. Please categorize as Blog Assignment #12, even though it will count as a module project.
