WEA Course Information Sheet 2013-14

Course title: Music Studies: Verdi, Britten and Wagner
Course reference: C2416848 / Tutor(s): John Riley
Venue: Etna Community Centre (Twickenham) / Fee: £79.00
Start date: 17/09/2013 / End date: 19/11/2013 / Day(s)/time(s): Tues 2pm
Number of sessions: 10 / Hours per session: 2 / Level:
Title of qualification to be gained (if any): n/a
Awarding body (if any): n/a
Essential materials
Course aims:
The course will examine three operas: Wagner’s ‘The Flying Dutchman’, Verdi’s ‘Falstaff’ and Benjamin Britten's 'The Turn of the Screw'. Through the course we will study their sources and librettos, and hear the complete music to understand how the composers drive forward and illustrate the stories.
Course description:
We will study three operatic masterpieces: Wagner’s popular and eerie 'The Flying Dutchman', Verdi’s great Shakespearean comedy ‘Falstaff’, and Britten’s ghost story ‘The Turn of the Screw’, setting each in the context of its time and the composer’s work.
Any prior knowledge or entry requirements?
No prior knowledge required
Course content: what topics will the course cover?
We will study in-depth, three operas. Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman, Verdi’s Falstaff, and Britten’s ‘The Turn of the Screw’.
Teaching, learning and assessment methods: tick those to be used ü
Demonstration / Discussion / X / Group work / X / Individual work / X
Project work / Research / X / Role play / Written work
Question and answer / X / Activity outside class time / Observation / X / Practical work
Presentation / X / Field trip / Other (state)
How will I receive feedback on my learning progress and achievement?
There will be an initial assessment, quizzes and informal feedback through the course and a final assessment to ensure that learning is successful.
Learning outcomes: these are the intended outcomes and may be revised in discussion with the class. Students are encouraged to think about and identify their own individual outcomes.
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
1. / Understand the background to the operas, including the composers’ biographies and historical and artistic context
2. / Recognise the operas’ forms and structures, and how they relate to the drama
3. / Recognise the operas’ literary and musical styles and explain why they were chosen
4. / Explain how each opera fits in the context of the history of the form
Reading and information sources: Is any reading/preparation essential or desirable?
Kobbe’s Guide to Opera
Master Musicians introductions to Wagner, Verdi and Britten
Suggestions for progression to further study or for using the skills and knowledge gained:
Various London colleges run both practical and theoretical opera courses

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