Great Overtures
Some overtures set the mood and move right on to an opening number which firmly establishes that mood/setting: I am thinking of:
1. How To Succeed In Business Without Even Trying - overture moves right to the main character reading the book of the same name..
2. Pajama Game: after the short overture the music establishes a "busy" mode, the scene is a factory, and we hear "Time Study Man", which establishes the M.O. of one of the secondary characters.
This method is a very handy way to establish setting, mood and characterization in very short order.
Sweeney Todd's overture is more of a classical Prologue, as is the overture for A Funny Thing...
1. How To Succeed In Business Without Even Trying - overture moves right to the main character reading the book of the same name..
2. Pajama Game: after the short overture the music establishes a "busy" mode, the scene is a factory, and we hear "Time Study Man", which establishes the M.O. of one of the secondary characters.
This method is a very handy way to establish setting, mood and characterization in very short order.
Sweeney Todd's overture is more of a classical Prologue, as is the overture for A Funny Thing...
- OscarGuy
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They are stylistically different and even Encyclopedia Britannica makes a distinction between Musical Theater and Opera. While they have some similarities, they are sufficiently different to warrant separate terms. And if they aren't, how would you distinguish them? You would have Opera and what?
Wesley Lovell
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." - Benjamin Franklin
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." - Benjamin Franklin
- OscarGuy
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My intention was musical theater, not opera. That's why I capitalized Musical, but I guess that wasn't terribly obvious. sorry about that.rain Bard wrote:Do opera overtures count in your definition of theatre?
Wesley Lovell
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." - Benjamin Franklin
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." - Benjamin Franklin