There is a long history of debate over what opera is. Since it's more or less formal beginning in the sixteenth century as a reconstruction of ancient drama, opera as an art form has been controversial. The received understanding--emphasized by the genre's founders and in periodic efforts at reforming the standards of composition and…

Shows how qualities of M. Sendak's works make it adaptable to the stage, using such works as "Where the Wild Things Are" and "Higglety Pigglety Pop!" as examples. (EL)

Composer Jack Beeson discusses the distinctively American themes and music of his operas and comments on opera composition in general, matters of style, and the televising of opera. This article is part of a theme issue on opera. (SJL)

In the context of debates on place, space, and identity in a period of globalisation, this article asks whether collaborative arts projects are a means to identity formation for participants. This is of interest, not least, because such projects are outside consumption, the latter more often discussed in work on identity in sociology. Situated…

Discusses relating literature to drama and music in order to achieve an integrated language arts curriculum. (HTH)

To succeed in today's competitive opera world, a singer needs--in addition to a good voice--personality, acting ability, good appearance, musicianship, language facility, versatility, and experience. Especially important are sight reading skills, care of the voice, and the ability to express emotion. Part of a theme issue on opera. (Author/SJL)

Argues that humor can be accomplished in computer-mediated communication and can be critical to creating social meaning online. Analyzes the humor of the USENET news group rec.arts.tv.soaps (r.a.t.s.), which discusses soap operas. Combines user surveys with message analysis to show the prevalence and importance of humor in r.a.t.s. (RS)

The world of classical music, says the writer, has always been international, and has now become truly global. Opera is perhaps traditionally, and most conspicuously, global. At any performance of the Metropolitan Opera of New York, for example, one encounters several different nationalities on stage, back stage, and in the orchestra pit. But the…

The author describes the evolution of the American musical since 1750 and emphasizes the often overlooked importance of the orchestrator. She discusses the talents of several extraordinarily gifted musicians. (KC)

It has previously been shown that an opera can successfully be integrated into a high school or college language class. It is suggested that an entire semester could be devoted to just French operas and French art, using corresponding literary texts for comparative purposes. Grammar points are included as needed; conversation about the stories…

A case study examined the cooperative consultation between a writer for the television serial "All My Children" and a health educator. The consultation spanned six years. The story of the alcoholic "Arlene" began to air on the serial in January 1991. Scenes involving Arlene were recorded. Consultation between the health…

Included in this set of proceedings are a keynote address on the state of the art of cable television and the future of the television economy by Les Brown, editor-in-chief of "Channels" magazine; panel discussions on the structure of the cable television industry; the potential market for cable television arts programming; the birth and…

The author criticizes the institutons of opera education by delineating the inadequate performance skills often found in their graduates. He makes suggestions for change in opera training systems and professional standards. Part of a theme issue on opera. (SJL)

Discusses changes in feminist theory as well as struggles pertaining to Canadian multiculturalism and antiracism. The article focuses on an advanced-level writing class in Canadian culture consisting mostly of women students with an interest in soap operas, who focused in the class on what personal histories were evoked in watching these programs.…

Experiential learning is, in its most simplistic form, a philosophical perspective that links the concrete with the abstract. If experiential learning utilizes the experiences of the learner, television is part of the learner's experience, and to ignore the pervasiveness of mass media in modern society is to ignore part of the lived experience of…