What opera buffa will reign supreme as the greatest ever composed? The Coda Clash presents a contest of canonical comedic operas: Rossini’s Barber of Seville v. Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. Join co-hosts Chris Stacey and Daniel Balsam for a lively discussion about the commedia dell'arte, the essentials of a comic plot, and the historical significance of opera buffa. We'll look at clips from the beloved Met Opera production by Bartlett Sher featuring Juan Diego Flórez, Joyce DiDonato’s and Peter Mattei. Enjoy an evening of serious frivolity that sets the stage for Part 2 and The Marriage of Figaro.
The agenda for this special two-part series of Coda Clash is:
- The commedia dell'arte, the essentials of a comic plot, and the historical significance of opera buffa.
- Gambling, card playing, drinking, eating and community in Italian opera houses during Rossini's day.
- Intriguing formal techniques in the Barber of Seville such as the "quadro di stupore" (transfixed with surprise) in the Finale of Act I.
- Battle of the Segments: highlights of the Barber of Seville (for comparison with Part II, Marriage of Figaro)
- Audience Vote On Barber of Seville - compared with audience vote on Marriage of Figaro in Part II to determine the Coda Clash Winner.
Date: Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Time: 6:30PM Central, 7:30PM Eastern, 4:30PM Pacific
Location: Zoom Video Conference
Cost: Free