and welcome to My Opera Space. This blog does not aspire to be an original work; on the contrary, many of the texts are heavily based on Wikipedia. Its purpose is mainly to provide an aural survey of the history of opera and its forward thrust through time. We consider the origins of this art form and its expansion throughout the Western hemisphere, opera seria and opera buffa, romantic opera, opera today and other facts. However, as the art historian James Elkins (2002: 33-34) points out, to reflect upon any art chronologically can prove paradoxical; certainly, artistic influences can be traced from one generation to the next. Thus, in relation to opera, we can say that Wagner (1813-1883) influenced Berg (1885-1935). Yet, Elkins (ibid) maintains this is only an image of the way history builds meanings. Just as one might look back past Picasso to see Rubens, I wonder can we also look back past Berg to see Wagner? In so doing, does the work of this "most German of men" appear less heroic as a consequence of our Bergian experience?
Bibliography:
Elkins, J. 2002. Stories of Art. London, UK: Routledge.
(Image no longer traceable on the Internet.)
