What you'll learn

Students will learn about soprano classifications in opera.
Students will learn about coloratura sopranos through the works of Mozart
Students will learn about lyric sopranos, lyrico-spinto sopranos, and dramatic sopranos, through the works of Verdi, Puccini, and Wagner.
Students will review the works of American composers: Barber, Floyd, and Gershwin.

Course content

4 sections • 23 lectures • 1h 55m total length

An Introduction to Great Moments in Opera: The Sopranos7:24
An Introduction to the Great Moments in Opera; The Sopranos. Students will be introduced to essential aspects of the soprano classification. There are six categories, each with an explanation; additionally, famous opera singers with their types will be discussed.
Introduction to the Composer Mozart1:42
Students will learn about Wolfgang A. Mozart.

Ach ich fuhl's - The Magic Flute - A sample of a lyric soprano5:13
Ach ich fuhl's - from Mozart's opera: The Magic Flute aria is an example of the characteristics of the lyric soprano voice. Mozart section aria two.
Dove Sono - The Marriage of Figaro - A sample of a full lyric soprano7:48
Dove Sono - From Mozart's opera: The Marriage of Figaro aria is an example of the characteristics of the full lyric soprano voice. Mozart section aria three.
Opera Stories0:59
Here are the opera stories associated with all the arias discussed in this course. Wikipedia links are enclosed within this document.

An Introduction to the composer Verdi1:37
This video is a brief introduction to the composer Verdi. Additionally, a review of the lyrico-spinto soprano and Italian dramatic soprano voices, the characteristics and sound quality of the Verdi soprano.
Ritorna Vincitor - Aida - Sample of an Italian Dramatic Soprano - Verdi Aria 17:09
Ritorna Vincitor from Verdi's opera Aida is an example of the characteristics and sound quality of the Italian dramatic soprano.
Tacea la notte in placida - Il Trovatore - Sample: Lyrico -Spinto/Dramatic6:31
Tacea la notte from Verdi's opera Il Trovatore is an example of the complexity of the Verdi soprano repertoire. This lyrico-spinto/Italian dramatic soprano aria reflects the coloratura technique, and full-bodied opulent singing. Verdi aria two.
Morro, ma prima in grazia - Un Ballo in Maschera -Sample Lyrico -Spinto/Dramatic5:23
Morro, ma prima in grazia from Verdi's opera Un Ballo in Maschera is an example of the lyrico-spinto/dramatic soprano voice. The voice is opulent in all three vocal registers: high, medium, and low.
An Introduction to the Composer Puccini1:32
This video is an introduction to the operatic arias of Puccini. The students will gain knowledge concerning full lyric and lyrical spinto/ Italian dramatic soprano arias.
Donde lieta - La Boheme - Sample of a full lyric soprano - Puccini aria 13:45
The aria Donde lieta from Puccini's opera La Boheme is an excellent example of the full lyric soprano voice. It exemplifies the range and tone quality of the full lyric soprano.
Tu che di gel - Turandot - Sample of a full lyric soprano- Puccini aria 23:04
The aria Tu che di gel sei cinta from Puccini's opera Turandot is an example of the characteristics of the full lyric soprano voice.
Sola perduta abbandonata - Manon Lescaut -Sample of a lyrico-spinto/dramatic7:15
The aria Sola perduta abbandonata from Puccini's Manon Lescaut is an example of a lyrico-spinto/Italian dramatic soprano voice. This voice is powerful on all three vocal registers: high. medium, and lower.
An Introduction to the Composer Wagner1:37
Dich teure halle - Tannhäuser - Sample of a Wagnerian Soprano - Wagner aria 15:38
The aria Dich teure from Wagner's opera Tannhäuser is an example of the Wagnerian soprano voice. It highlights the characteristics of this extremely large and piercing voice.
Liebestod - Tristan und Isolde - Sample of a Wagnerian Soprano - Wagner aria 29:01
The aria Liebestod from Wagner's opera Tristan und Isolde is an excellent example of the Wagnerian soprano voice. The Wagnerian soprano is the most powerful female voice within the operatic female paradigm. This aria shows the opulence, power, and weight of the classification. The voice soars above the orchestra.
In Questa Reggia - Turandot - Sample of Wagnerian Adjacent Singing4:38
The aria In Questa Reggia from Puccini's opera Turandot is an example of a role that is frequently performed by Wagnerian sopranos. The aria requires a level of stentorian singing, a piercing quality that cuts through the orchestra like a laser beam, an important characteristic of the Wagnerian soprano.
An Introduction to American Composers: Barber, Floyd, and Gershwin6:15
Biographical information about the American Composers: Barber, Floyd, and Gershwin. Additionally, the aria Do Not Utter a Word from Barber's opera Vanessa illustrates the characteristics and power of the lyrico-spinto soprano.
Ain't it a Pretty Night - Susannah - Floyd - Sample of s full lyric soprano7:26
The aria Ain't it a Pretty Night from Floyd's opera Susannah is an example of a full lyric soprano.
The Trees on the Mountain - Susannah - Floyd - Sample of a full lyric soprano7:05
The aria The Trees on the Mountain is Susannah's 2nd aria,
My Man's Gone Now - Porgy and Bess - An Example of a lyrico-spinto soprano5:32
The aria My Man's Gone Now from Gershwin's Porgy and Bess is a powerhouse presentation of the lyrico spinto voice. Strong sustained high notes and powerful middle and lower registers.
Certification: Opera Studies5:00

Requirements

No pre-requisites, just a desire to learn more about beautiful music composed for the soprano voice.

Description

An introduction to the great operatic arias (solos) composed for the soprano voice. Works by Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, Bioto, Wagner, and the American composers, Barber, Floyd, and Gershwin. Songs beautifully performed in the original languages with English translations. The operatic soprano voice is divided into several categories: coloratura soprano, dramatic coloratura, lyric soprano, full lyric soprano, lyrico-spinto soprano, dramatic soprano, and Wagnerian soprano. You will learn these classifications' definitions and characteristics by analyzing applicable arias (songs). You will review beautiful and dramatic arias performed with full orchestras. Additionally, you will learn about the world's most celebrated composers. Students can earn a certificate in operatic studies after completing this course.

Dr. Grace Naomi Hinds is an experienced college professor and opera/concert singer with undergraduate and graduate degrees in classical music and higher education leadership. As the former president and general manager of Naomi Music Productions, Dr. Hinds produced concert versions of the following operas: Cosi Fan Tutti, Don Giovanni, Suor Angelica, Il Trovatore, The Magic Flute, and La Boheme. Dr. Hinds is also a member of the operatic trio: The Hinds Sisters Trio - Esther, Ruby, and Grace Hinds. The Hinds Sisters Trio performed throughout the United States and Europe, introduced internationally by composer Gian Carlo Menotti.

Who this course is for:

People interested in beautiful music.
Students will gain insight about operatic composers, and they will have the opportunity to hear great operatic singing.

What you'll learn

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Course content

Introduction2 lectures • 9min

Lecture 3: Mozart Aria - The Vengeance Aria - The Magic Flute1 lecture • 4min

Mozart Section - Aria 13 lectures • 14min

Introduction to Verdi & Verdi Arias17 lectures • 1hr 28min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: