J.S. Bach

In a recent article about constructing a list of “the top 10 classical music composers,” Anthony Tommasini, chief music critic of the New York Times, announced, “the winner, the all-time great is . . . Bach!” Why is Bach’s legacy so enduring, his influence so profound, his music so enriching to mind and spirit? Through listening, discussion, lecture and live performance, this course explores these questions. Prerequisites: MUSC 113 or MUSC 114, or permission of the instructor.

William MacPherson

Opera

A survey of the 400-year history of opera. Topics include: drama and music; singers and vocal technique; characterization and role stereotypes; interpretation, design, and staging; and social history, including patrons, opera houses and audiences. Examples will be mainly major European works, but will also include operetta, musical theatre, non-Western genres and film scores. Lecture, discussion, listening, viewing and live performance. No music reading ability required and no music theory prerequisite.

William MacPherson