In Staging Scenes from the Operas of Donizetti and Verdi, veteran opera director William Ferrara presents a detailed, practical exploration of the staging of twenty-one scenes from two of opera's most beloved composers. He brings to life Donizetti's delightful comedies, L'Elisir d'amore and Don Pasquale, and guides us through the haunted world of Lucia di Lammmermoor. He explores Verdi's dark themes and imagery in scenes from Rigoletto, and the heartbreaking choices of the characters in La traviata. With signature comic touches, vivid characters, and dynamic stage action, Ferrara brings tried-and-true techniques as well as lively new ideas to these favorite scenes. Topics include study and research, rehearsal planning, blocking, characterization, ideas for simplified sets and props, and costume design. The introduction to each of the five operas includes a brief description of the story and characters, and suggestions for several different approaches to staging-both traditional and modern. The heart of each chapter is the text and translation of the scene, embedded with line-by-line notes on character, movement, emotion, and interaction. This fresh approach to staging an opera scene by applying insights and ideas directly to the text sparks the student's dramatic imagination and inspires a deeper understanding of the connection between words and music. In addition, by exploring creative improvisations, exercises and contemporary parallels, young performers are encouraged to build more authentic and dynamic performances. Intended for college and university voice teachers seeking guidance for developing a scenes program or opera workshop class, this is also the perfect workbook for students studying opera stage direction, as well as graduate and undergraduate students performing opera scenes by Donizetti and Verdi.

In Staging Scenes from the Operas of Donizetti and Verdi, veteran opera director William Ferrara presents a detailed, practical exploration of the staging of twenty-one scenes from two of opera's most beloved composers. He brings to life Donizetti's delightful comedies, L'Elisir d'amore and Don Pasquale, and guides us through the haunted world of Lucia di Lammmermoor. He explores Verdi's dark themes and imagery in scenes from Rigoletto, and the heartbreaking choices of the characters in La traviata. With signature comic touches, vivid characters, and dynamic stage action, Ferrara brings tried-and-true techniques as well as lively new ideas to these favorite scenes. Topics include study and research, rehearsal planning, blocking, characterization, ideas for simplified sets and props, and costume design. The introduction to each of the five operas includes a brief description of the story and characters, and suggestions for several different approaches to staging-both traditional and modern. The heart of each chapter is the text and translation of the scene, embedded with line-by-line notes on character, movement, emotion, and interaction. This fresh approach to staging an opera scene by applying insights and ideas directly to the text sparks the student's dramatic imagination and inspires a deeper understanding of the connection between words and music. In addition, by exploring creative improvisations, exercises and contemporary parallels, young performers are encouraged to build more authentic and dynamic performances. Intended for college and university voice teachers seeking guidance for developing a scenes program or opera workshop class, this is also the perfect workbook for students studying opera stage direction, as well as graduate and undergraduate students performing opera scenes by Donizetti and Verdi.

In Staging Scenes from the Operas of Mozart: A Guide for Teachers and Singers, opera director William Ferrara offers the perfect resource for the dramatic preparation of opera scenes for directors and student performers. Topics include study and research, rehearsal planning, blocking, characterization, and costuming for four of Mozart s most popular operas. He surveys basic concepts of opera acting and directing and provides a step-by-step guide to the rehearsal process. While much has appeared on the history and musical performance practice of the operas of Mozart, no guide to the directing and acting of his operas with simple, concise staging instructions and practical information concerning casting, props, and costumes has yet seen publication. Featuring over one hundred illustrations, including costume designs by Martha Ferrara, the author breaks new ground for student performers and directors alike, as he walks readers through the process of staging scenes from Mozart s operas. The first part of the guide, which focuses on study and preparation, comprisess five chapters: ideas for organizing the opera class, a description of the job of the director, a step-by-step review of the rehearsal process, a set of five exercises for researching and analyzing the scenes, and a vocabulary for actors and directors. The next four sections of the book consist of detailed staging guides for a selection of scenes from Mozart s most frequently performed operas: Le Nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni, Cosi fan tutte, and Die Zauberflote. The introduction to each scene includes a brief discussion of the story and characters, suggestions for costuming, and minimal set and props. The heart of this guide is the text and translation of each scene, embedded with line-by-line acting notes, and blocking directions and diagrams. These are for use by the actors during speaking and blocking rehearsals and are especially valuable when rehearsing recitatives. Intended for college and university voice teachers seeking guidance for developing a scenes program or opera workshop class, this is also the perfect workbook for students studying opera stage direction, as well as graduate and undergraduate students performing opera scenes by Mozart."

In Staging Scenes from the Operas of Mozart: A Guide for Teachers and Singers, opera director William Ferrara offers the perfect resource for the dramatic preparation of opera scenes for directors and student performers. Topics include study and research, rehearsal planning, blocking, characterization, and costuming for four of Mozart s most popular operas. He surveys basic concepts of opera acting and directing and provides a step-by-step guide to the rehearsal process. While much has appeared on the history and musical performance practice of the operas of Mozart, no guide to the directing and acting of his operas with simple, concise staging instructions and practical information concerning casting, props, and costumes has yet seen publication. Featuring over one hundred illustrations, including costume designs by Martha Ferrara, the author breaks new ground for student performers and directors alike, as he walks readers through the process of staging scenes from Mozart s operas. The first part of the guide, which focuses on study and preparation, comprisess five chapters: ideas for organizing the opera class, a description of the job of the director, a step-by-step review of the rehearsal process, a set of five exercises for researching and analyzing the scenes, and a vocabulary for actors and directors. The next four sections of the book consist of detailed staging guides for a selection of scenes from Mozart s most frequently performed operas: Le Nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni, Cosi fan tutte, and Die Zauberflote. The introduction to each scene includes a brief discussion of the story and characters, suggestions for costuming, and minimal set and props. The heart of this guide is the text and translation of each scene, embedded with line-by-line acting notes, and blocking directions and diagrams. These are for use by the actors during speaking and blocking rehearsals and are especially valuable when rehearsing recitatives. Intended for college and university voice teachers seeking guidance for developing a scenes program or opera workshop class, this is also the perfect workbook for students studying opera stage direction, as well as graduate and undergraduate students performing opera scenes by Mozart."