An Author and his Work [ LROM2854 ]

Good knowledge of written and spoken Italian (level B2 of Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) ; basic understanding of narratology.

The course is devoted to one of the best known and most important writers of the 19^th century, Felice Romani. His libretti have shaped Italian and world cultural life with standard repertoire operas such as I Capuleti e i Montecchi, La Sonnambula, Norma, Anna Bolena or L'elisir d'amore. 

The figure of the poet-librettist was very soon overshadowed by the image of the composer as the main author of an opera, just as by the rise of theatre and the novel by the end of the 19^th century. In this course, we will examine the value of libretti, the main vehicle for literary diffusion in Italy. We will also demonstrate how the libretto attempts to influence musical writing and production.  

1.    to be able to analyse unknown works
2.    to be able to apply and criticise analytical and theoretical strategies  
3.    to be able to compare different kinds of approach

Written assignment

Oral examination

Both the written and oral examinations are done in Italian.

The course is based on facsimiles of original libretti. Students will learn how to understand the important structures in a libretto, the musical implications, as well as the strategies for adaptation and the creation of meaning employed by Romani.

The course contents will reflect the lecturer's current research interests, Students will discover a new topic and the techniques and research strategies employed by a researcher. The contents will therefore change as the course progresses, in the light of the analytical results gained during the semester.  

The course is devoted to one of the best known and most important writers of the 19^th century, Felice Romani. His libretti have shaped Italian and world cultural life with standard repertoire operas such as I Capuleti e i Montecchi, La Sonnambula, Norma, Anna Bolena or L'elisir d'amore. 

The figure of the poet-librettist was very soon overshadowed by the image of the composer as the main author of an opera, just as by the rise of theatre and the novel by the end of the 19^th century. In this course, we will examine the value of libretti, the main vehicle for literary diffusion in Italy. We will also demonstrate how the libretto attempts to influence musical writing and production.  

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The course is given in Italian.