Opera: Italy Onstage and Backstage

Opera is one of Italy’s most enduring contributions to the cultural world – but just exactly what is opera? How does it work and how has it been used throughout history to propose, support, and undermine ideas about topics as broad as nationalism, race, gender, and class? Through a focus on some of the most influential operas written in Italian, we will consider how this unique art form is both in dialogue with itself and the world around it. This course has no prerequisites and does not require prior knowledge of music nor opera.