MUSCLG 35
Introduction to Opera
Description: Lecture, four hours; discussion, one hour. Exploration of history of opera from its origins in Florentine Camerata in Italy in early 17th century, through ages of Enlightenment and Romanticism, and ending with modern era of early 20th century. History of opera, biography of composers and singers, operatic conventions, dramaturgy, plot, stagings, hermeneutics of opera, and musical style, with focus on learning appreciation of music of opera within rich context of its compelling history. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 5.0
Units: 5.0
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Most Helpful Review
Winter 2025 - I definitely recommend this class if you are looking for a light and interesting GE. Dr. Brown is a very kind and understanding professor. She cares a lot about the subjects she teaches which makes her lectures engaging, even considering that I am not particularly interested in the subject of opera. The lectures are mandatory, checked by iClicker, and were definitely long and boring at times. However, actually listening in the lectures can be extremely helpful on the exams and you end up learning about some interesting connections between opera and modern media and arts. However, I very rarely paid attention in lecture and still found the exams to be pretty easy. All you really have to do is re-read the slides, memorize some facts about each targeted listening, and make sure you can identify the song in each targeted listening or at least the operas they are from. It's not only easy, but Dr. Brown also offers multiple opportunities for extra credit, including opinion-based questions on the exams and an extra assignment you can do that offers up to 10 points extra credit. The professor really cares about this subject but moreover, she really cares about her students and it's very obvious that she wants everyone to succeed. I get that nobody likes mandatory lectures but getting that attendance is a really easy way to get points in the gradebook and the class can be a nice boost to your GPA, I ended with 102% in the class and actually learned some pretty interesting things.
Winter 2025 - I definitely recommend this class if you are looking for a light and interesting GE. Dr. Brown is a very kind and understanding professor. She cares a lot about the subjects she teaches which makes her lectures engaging, even considering that I am not particularly interested in the subject of opera. The lectures are mandatory, checked by iClicker, and were definitely long and boring at times. However, actually listening in the lectures can be extremely helpful on the exams and you end up learning about some interesting connections between opera and modern media and arts. However, I very rarely paid attention in lecture and still found the exams to be pretty easy. All you really have to do is re-read the slides, memorize some facts about each targeted listening, and make sure you can identify the song in each targeted listening or at least the operas they are from. It's not only easy, but Dr. Brown also offers multiple opportunities for extra credit, including opinion-based questions on the exams and an extra assignment you can do that offers up to 10 points extra credit. The professor really cares about this subject but moreover, she really cares about her students and it's very obvious that she wants everyone to succeed. I get that nobody likes mandatory lectures but getting that attendance is a really easy way to get points in the gradebook and the class can be a nice boost to your GPA, I ended with 102% in the class and actually learned some pretty interesting things.
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Most Helpful Review
Winter 2020 - This class was pretty okay. Dr. Syer is a really nice, caring person. She is evidently very interested with opera and really loves what she does. The lectures are 2 hours long, and for me it was impossible not to get bored. This class had a fair amount of assignments. We had to write 3 papers on operas. As for testing, the midterm has a listening component where you listen to a piece (which is on a list of about 20 pieces we looked at in class) and we write about the piece and identify the composer and the importance of that piece in the opera, there was also an essay component, which she gave the prompt for a week before the exam. The grading in this class wasn't harsh, and we all loved our TA, Pheaross. There were long and boring reading assignments, which I never did. I think they helped out a lot of people with giving context for this class, but I'm an opera singer so this was unnecessary for me. Dr. Syer conducted lectures on Zoom when she was out of town (she was really ahead of her time lmao), and she was very helpful. She would give us feedback on our essays before submitting them, which was very nice of her. The only problem is that it's often hard to get a hold of her and many emails you send her aren't responded to. I'd say, take this class if you're interested in opera. There isn't too much work, and it isn't too hard. That being said, you will get bored and need to do the long readings if you don't have musical background. Dr. Syer is a sweet lady, who really cares about her students, which made this class a lot better.
Winter 2020 - This class was pretty okay. Dr. Syer is a really nice, caring person. She is evidently very interested with opera and really loves what she does. The lectures are 2 hours long, and for me it was impossible not to get bored. This class had a fair amount of assignments. We had to write 3 papers on operas. As for testing, the midterm has a listening component where you listen to a piece (which is on a list of about 20 pieces we looked at in class) and we write about the piece and identify the composer and the importance of that piece in the opera, there was also an essay component, which she gave the prompt for a week before the exam. The grading in this class wasn't harsh, and we all loved our TA, Pheaross. There were long and boring reading assignments, which I never did. I think they helped out a lot of people with giving context for this class, but I'm an opera singer so this was unnecessary for me. Dr. Syer conducted lectures on Zoom when she was out of town (she was really ahead of her time lmao), and she was very helpful. She would give us feedback on our essays before submitting them, which was very nice of her. The only problem is that it's often hard to get a hold of her and many emails you send her aren't responded to. I'd say, take this class if you're interested in opera. There isn't too much work, and it isn't too hard. That being said, you will get bored and need to do the long readings if you don't have musical background. Dr. Syer is a sweet lady, who really cares about her students, which made this class a lot better.
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