Rock opera

Mark Stewart’s, Passing Strange, is a semi-autobiographical rock musical that apprises the story of young man’s journey to find “the real.” In this play, Stew (Mark Stewart), tells the story of his younger self traveling from his home in Los Angeles to places such as Amsterdam and Berlin to become a great artist and musician. In this production, Stew has the conviction that “the real” cannot be obtained unless he perceives and witness’s different places from around the world. I watched a filmed version of this play on the days of Tuesday, April 11, and Thursday April 13, and after watching, I can honestly that this is the most unique musical that I have ever seen. Stewart’s production of Passing Strange deserves a detailed and comprehensive…

He is constantly experimenting with styles and changing his musical style. Styles he used for his musicals include electric pop, classical, jazz, and rock operas. Similarities of the musical style in School of Rock are found in Starlight Express. Yet, there are still distinct differences in these two rock musicals. The stark differences in style are more apparently seen in comparing Jesus Christ Superstar and Phantom of the Opera. Both are operettas, yet one is a rock opera while the other is a…

When you're ready to hear beautiful notes fill the air, these musicians will give you a night to remember: Boston Pops Affectionately known as "America's Orchestra," the Boston Pops is the most recorded orchestra in the United States. Founded in 1885, they play at Symphony Hall where the acoustics are outstanding. Upcoming performances include a variety of styles such as classic, jazz, indie rock, big band, and Broadway. Boston Symphony Orchestra Founded in 1881 by Civil War veteran Henry…

the surface, one might not think that the great Italian opera La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi and the acclaimed indie group Dinosaur Jr. have much in common. One concert, for instance, took place in an intimate performing arts center to an attentive and quietly reverent audience while the other in a loud, rough-and-tumble rock venue to a lively and informal audience. Indeed, there may appear to be no similarities between the effortlessly skilled classical stylings of the UNT College of Music and…

April 29th 1996, Broadway’s Nederland theatre is sold out to capacity and the audience is gritting their teeth with excitement, but an overture is nowhere to be heard, the curtains are missing and the haphazardly placed lighting rigs have not yet dimmed. All at once, the stage erupts with cast members running in-between and out of the industrial themed set, a strum of a guitar is heard and a critically acclaimed overnight sensation is born in the image of Jonathon Larson. Adapted from the…

I enjoyed many experiences on our study tour to Salzburg and Vienna, but my favorite experiences were the guided visit of the Mozart House in the Vienna City Center, the tour and concert of the Mozarteum and Mozart’s opera “La Clemenza di Tito”. I really loved the guided visit of the third Mozart house we went to, the one in Vienna. Not only did it have some really interesting Mozart stuff, but I also loved the exhibition on “Rock Me Amadeus” in the basement of the house. I loved the tour…

Rent, a rock-musical set in New York, follows seven artists working for their dreams of stardom without becoming sellouts. Originating in 1996, Rent was composed by an almost unknown composer at the time, Jonathan Larson. From small beginnings in the Off-Broadway New York Theater Workshop, Rent made its way to Broadway, and became an American hit. This hit musical was written and composed by Jonathan Larson. Living from 1960-1996, dying the morning Rent was to be performed in its first…

I love to listen to opera. I feel fortunate to be able to listen to some of the best singers of the century with just a click on iTunes. Opera is a break from the everyday slog; opera is like the gift of seeing fireflies or hearing raindrops on a warm summer night. There is no material benefit, just the joy of seeing and listening; they are their own gift. When people learn I listen to and appreciate opera, they are flummoxed. After their first reaction, which reminds one of eating spinach,…

The Differences Between Opera, Oratorio, and Stage Music Opera vs. Oratorio vs Stage music Monique U. Akpa Harmony Science Academy Houston-High Proffessor Lewis and Proffessor White Music Appreciation 10 May 2017 Abstract The history of music is very unique because it has changed dramatically over the course of many centuries. Even till today it is still being modified and changed to fit with the modern world. However in the history of music there were three…

Ragtime music became widely popular in the United States around 1890’s through the 1900’s and was a precursor to Jazz. Ragtime is a musical genre that is composed for the piano typically in a duple meter. It contained a syncopated lead, which is played with the right hand, played over a rhythmically steady bass. The composition of Ragtime usually consists of three or four contrasting sections and each of these sections are either in 16 or 32 measures in length (History of Ragtime). Syncopation…