A Guide to Opera



Overview

What is opera?

The poetry of the libretto, through the artistry of the composer and singer to the design of the producer – this course will examine the different elements that fuse into this most complete of all art forms.

We will begin by demystifying some operatic conventions and terminology, then look at how composers set a story to music. Next we will consider the art of the opera singer and look at the different voice-types. Then we will study the main composers and trends in operatic history, with a special focus on Mozart's 'The Marriage of Figaro'. Finally we will examine the role of the opera producer.

Programme details

Course starts: 25 Sept 2023

Week 1: What is Opera?

Week 2: The importance of a good libretto

Week 3: The art of the Opera singer

Week 4: The birth of Opera to the High Baroque

Week 5: The change to Classicism

Week 6: Opera in Germany

Week 7: Nationalism in Opera

Week 8: Study session: Mozart's 'The Marriage of Figaro'

Week 9: The Producer - the art of interpretation

Week 10: Opera criticism for everyone

Certification

Students who register for CATS points will receive a Record of CATS points on successful completion of their course assessment.

To earn credit (CATS points) you will need to register and pay an additional £10 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.

Coursework is an integral part of all weekly classes and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework in order to benefit fully from the course. Only those who have registered for credit will be awarded CATS points for completing work at the required standard.

Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process can either register for CATS points prior to the start of their course or retrospectively from the January 1st after the current full academic year has been completed. If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.

 

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £257.00
Take this course for CATS points £10.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Claire-Louise Lucas

Claire-Louise Lucas is a professional mezzo-soprano and a part-time music tutor. She lectures on opera and song for Oxford University Department for Continuing Education.  She has lectured on singing in conservatoires and other universities in the UK and the USA.

Claire-Louise has performed extensively throughout Britain, Europe and the USA, including an appearance as a soloist in the Salzburg Easter Festival with Maurizio Pollini and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra under Claudio Abbado.  Other recent performances include concerts at Gloucester Cathedral; Christ Church Cathedral; Salisbury Cathedral; Southampton University; the Leominster Festival and the Brighton Festival. 

Course aims

To examine the different elements that fuse together to form Opera.

Course objectives:

  • To examine how composers set a story to music.
  • To illustrate how singers and producers interpret the words and music.
  • To study the main composers and trends in operatic history.

Teaching methods

Each topic will be illustrated by audio and video extracts, co-ordinated by computer. All visual illustrations, including scores, opera texts, video and DVD extracts will be projected on to a large screen. Audio recordings will be played through high quality hi-fi. There will also be live demonstrations by the tutor.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be expected to:

  • identify the main elements that form Opera;
  • demonstrate how a story is told in music on the operatic stage; 
  • identify the main opera composers and trends in different musical eras.

Assessment methods

Assessment will be through the medium of 4 worksheets that will assist the students to consolidate the knowledge that they have gained in class. Students will also have the option to write an essay or undertake a project, the nature of which will be discussed in class.

Students must submit a completed Declaration of Authorship form at the end of term when submitting your final piece of work. CATS points cannot be awarded without the aforementioned form - Declaration of Authorship form

Application

To earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £10 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.

Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form (Word) or enrolment form (Pdf).

Level and demands

Most of the Department's weekly classes have 10 or 20 CATS points assigned to them. 10 CATS points at FHEQ Level 4 usually consist of ten 2-hour sessions. 20 CATS points at FHEQ Level 4 usually consist of twenty 2-hour sessions. It is expected that, for every 2 hours of tuition you are given, you will engage in eight hours of private study.

Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS)

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support