Assignment Eight: Opera and Musical Theatre

All three performance venues (opera, light opera, and musical theatre) share one common feature, they all you singing and music to convey and theatrical performance. However, the styles of singing differ from each venue. In opera, singer's voices are very profound and demanding. Skilled opera singers know how to control their breathing and have been trained in the art form. Also, most opera singer do not use microphones, where as in musical theatre performances microphones are very imperative. In addition, musical theatre and light opera both require dialogue in their shows. Many operas have thin story lines, and the only dialogue found in an opera is a prelude before the show begins to give the audience a synopsis of the play. All in all, both light opera and musical theatre stemmed from classical opera making all three venues relate to each other.

Assignment Seven: Music

When I began listening to Michael Bolton's rendition of Nessun Dorma I first could grasp that the song centered around love. Although Mr. Bolton's voice was very powerful at times, the lyrical flow of the music still possessed many romantic qualities. The mood of the song started off very slow and somewhat melancholy . During the beginning the volume of the song was also quiet. These characteristics lead me to infer that the beginning of the song was perhaps about losing a love interest. As I listened further the orchestra seemed to pick up volume and also began to use more dynamics. Mr. Bolton's voice also began to do the same so I figured that the mood changed from regret (or sadness) to redemption. During this part of the song Mr. Bolton's voice became more powerful and profound and his vocal energy remain that way until the end of the song.

I believe the artist who is most famous for singing this song is Pavarotti

Assignment Six: Theatre

Label the parts of this proscenium theater

A. setting line apron 
B. offstage
C. the proscenium
D. the border
E. the backdrop

Assignment Five: Dance

1. Discuss why people dance
   People dance for various reasons. People may dance to perform, to praise, to celebrate, to exercise, to express themselves, to socialize, to spend quality time with their partner, and finally to have fun. 


2. Discuss the difference between modern dance and modern ballet.
    Some of the more obvious differences between modern dance and modern ballet would be the costumes. In modern dance the costumes are usually more loose and dancers are usually barefoot. Modern ballet is more traditional in style and focuses on positions and fluid movements. Modern dance is more about dramatics and may have sharp motions and movements. Also in modern dance the hands many be turned out while in ballet the hands are usually turned in. 


3. Describe the particular period that dance began in the western world.
    The western world began in the early 20th century when jazz was introduced to America. During the Great Migration of African-Americans from the south to the north American music was born and alongside it came American dance. During this time many Caucasian Americans turned to their African-American counterparts for popular dances such as the Jitterbug, Charleston, and the Lindy Hop. In the 50s and 60s artists like Chubby Checkers cultivated such dances as the twist for the enjoyment of all races. As time went on other races ) brought their dances to the western world. 

Assignment Four: Kandinsky

Discuss Kandinsky's paintings:

1. What was the subject of his work?
The subject of Kandinsky's paintings often revolved around the idea of the apocalypse and the book of revelation in the bible (of which he took great inspiration from). Kandinksky also wanted to use his artwork as a tool to promote art through his unique use of color.

2. Describe the kind of painting he did?
Kandinsky often painted many spiritual scenes. He commonly used the images of the angel and the trumpet, the saints, the city on a hill, St. George and the dragon, and the troika in many of his paintings. Early in his painting career Kandinsky created more vivid paintings, but as he progressed as an artist he began moving into more abstract creations.

3. Discuss synesthesia.
The dictionary defines synesthesia as sensation in one part of the body which produces a stimulus in another. However, in art synesthesia is a condition in which several sensory functions are blended together. For example, an synesthetic might describe a food as tasting "yellow" or say that a pattern is loud or soft.

Assignment Three

Aesthetic Experience: Brushing My Teeth

My Aesthetic experience that I chose to talk about is brushing my teeth. I wake up in the morning and walk sleepily to the bathroom. While in this daze I grab my lavender toothbrush and apply my toothpaste to the brush. The toothpaste reminds me of a brisk and cool mountain and the mint within the paste looks like seashells in the ocean. As I begin to brush my teeth I turn the faucet on and watch the water rush out as if it were a waterfall. I then start to brush my teeth and watch my ivory teeth turn into white canvases with splashes of blue paint on them. My hands move my toothbrush in a circular waltz around each side of my mouth until my mouth becomes full with the ocean foam like substance. I discharge to material as it mixes with the rushing water it becomes a swirl with creates a sky blue like color. I begin the second round of my hygienic dance and repeat the process. Finally, I cleanse my brush by moving it underneath the cascading water, and I begin to rinse my mouth. I pick up the potion like bottle with my mouthwash in it, and I pour the liquid in the bottle cap. I take the shot, and wait in anticipation for the blaze of the mouthwash starts its reign in my mouth. I begin to countdown the agonizing twenty seconds and quickly spit out the fire water. I immediately reach for the water like soil that has suffered from a drought, and let the water cool my mouth. The refreshing liquid feels as brisk as a cold winter wind. I then discharge the liquid, grab my towel to dry my mouth, and look in the mirror to give it my Hollywood starlet smile.

Museum Visit

1. Decribe- I was first drawn to Diane's Vase because of the use of bright and vivid colors. The artist, Janet Fish used a very colorful combination of pinks, yellows, greens, and blues to create this painting. This oil painting was done on a medium sized canvas and immediately attracted viewers because of her vibrant use of colors.

2. Analyze- In the painting the flowers in the vase are set outside on a white table. Initially, I assume that it is in the warmer months, perhaps somewhere between May and June. There also seems to be a colorful scarf on the table which may suggest that Diane (the owner of the flowers) just got in and put her belongings down. On the table there is also a bag of colorful candy (perhaps taffy) that she may have just bought home.

3.  Interpret- The vibe that I immediately got from this painting was happiness. With the color choice I experienced a sudden rush of joy and comfort. Then I as I began to sit and further observe the painting I just began to feel relaxed instead of joy. My joy actually became a relaxed happiness or sense of contentment.

4. Judge- I really did enjoy observing this painting. Out of all the paintings I saw at the museum this was the one painting that I was instantly drawn to. It was very appealing to my eyes and i took my to a very comforting summer day.