THE BIRTH OF OPERA Photo

Photographer’s Note

THE BIRTH OF OPERA

Anyone who has any interest in the arts knows that the Tuscan capitol of Florence was the cradle of one of the greatest ages in history, the Italian Renaissance. Surpassing artists and architects, including Giotto and Ghiberti, Donatello and Verrocchio, and the unrivaled duo of Leonardo and Michelangelo, all thrived in Florence. But it is not widely known that opera also had its origins in Florence. Late in the 16th century, not long after the death of Michelangelo in 1564, a new genre in music emerged, with dialogue presented in a theatrical style as declamation, a sung musical drama, and eventually evolved into what is now known as opera.

Giulio Caccini, a tenor and composer in the employ of the Medici family, is generally regarded as one of the inventors of the genre, bringing the voice to the forefront of the recitative, and accompanying it with a basso continuo. In 1600, on the occasion of the wedding of Maria de Medici to Henry IV of France, Eurydice by Jacopo Peri (1561-1633) was performed at the Palazzo Pitti, with Peri personally playing the role of Orpheus and using this new style of expression, "singing recitation". Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) perfected the genre and ensured its successful establishment with his Orfeo (1607), Il Ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria (1641) and L’Incoronazione di Popea (1642).

The earliest works were usually performed in private palaces, but during the 17th, 18th and 19th century many theaters had been built as venues for operatic performances, most prominent among them the Teatro della Pergola and the Teatro Comunale. Among works that received their Italian (or even world) premiers were the grand operas of Mozart, Donizetti’s Parisina and Rosamunde d’Inghilterra, Verdi’s Macbeth and Mascagni’s Rantzau.

August 6, 2008 I had taken a train from the port city of Livorno to Florence, and, during a highly compressed day, visited a number of sites new for me. In this instance as I left the Archaeological Museum from a side door, I came across an old wall plastered with posters announcing operas — operas recently performed or soon to be performed. Each, I thought, was a colorful work of art, but each beginning to show the signs of deterioration from exposure to the elements. The shows advertised included the “Barber of Seville,” “Carmina Burana,” “ La Traviata” and “La Boheme,” each I could hear in my mind’s ear. This collection of posters on the dilapidated wall should be viewed while listening to one of these timeless works — I would suggest a poignant work by Puccini.

Nikon D200, Nikkor 28-200 mm, no filter, hand held. In post-processing the scene, I highlighted the posters slightly, increasing the lightness, contrast and color saturation.

Wandering_Dan, jurgen, meb, paololg, Emile, zeynepe, BWJ, stelli, jhm, carper, gunbud, paura, MLINES, Tezic, naznaz567, JCG, vascao, azaf1, windosil, jwmunro, papagolf21, ahmetgedikli, Bugraa, litiancai, mursaloglu, rigoletto, Bluejeans, Didi, skippy007 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

zeynepe (9342) 2008-10-24 7:34

Merhaba Bulent Bey,
5 yasindan beri operalara giden , opera fanatigi biri olarak bu karenizdeki afislere bayildim, hepsi bir sanat eseri. Eskilerden en cok sevdigim Turandot'dur, Puccini'nin yeri ayridir benim icin, ama hep dusunurum neden yeni opera eserleri eskisi gibi guzel ya da etkili olmuyor diye. Halbuki bugünün teknolojisiyle ne harika eserler olusturulabilir.
Tebrikler bu guzel kare icin.
iyi haftasonlari,
Zeynep

paprika-jancsi (1957) 2008-10-24 7:41

Bravo, Professor. thank you for the informative notes. Being an opera lover, music critic etc. I don't really go back further than Monteverdi and only begin to truly enjoy them with Bellini and Rossini. From here on of course sky is the limit.
Lucky for you to travel Italy again!
Janos

BWJ (1773) 2008-10-24 8:35

Hello Bulent,
What an original and interesting photo! You captured the colors and details of the posters, the old wall, and even the sky and tress in the background with great clarity. Your note about the history of the opera is excellent just filled with interesting information.
Kind regards,
Betty

belido (16555) 2008-10-24 11:19

Hi Bulent,

interesting and unusual composition. The note and photo work together for a great post. Thanks for both!
Regards,
Carlos

emka (21538) 2008-10-24 11:27

Hi Bulent
, Interesting note about beginning of the opera and nice posters. but not only from opera, I see also ballet and jazz (SOsa). This opera festival presents the famous works by Mozart and Rossini. My favourite is Barbiere.
Many years ago I lived in Cologne and there I attended German course at the University. In my group were almost all students from out of Europe contries - Korea, Iran, Japan. Once the teacher was telling something about opera and asked to give an example of one opere title. I was astonished that no one knew even one opera title!! But I do not know anything about Korean or Japan art, so why should be surprised?

Warm regards

Malgorzata

stego (22360) 2008-10-24 15:29

Hello Bülent,
Interesting subject for illustrating the story written in the note (as usual very informative and educative). Not everyone would find a motive for a photo in those advertises pasted on an old wall that has seen better days. In a way, I guess it shows how popular opera is in Italy, because I guess that in other places it's not usual to advertise opera by such means.
I wonder if the arched top of the wall is natural or due to barrel distortion introduced by the lenses. Anyway, it's not important.
Warm Regards, José.

feather (49862) 2008-10-25 3:24

These are the kind of images I see time and time again and enjoy them, but I never "see" the potential for these kinds of shots myself. There is even a kind of artistry in the tears and curled edges of the posters and the texture in the old wall. Well spotted. An interesting note as always.
Kath

stelli (2945) 2008-10-25 6:33

Innovative composition! Very good framing! Thank you for sharing! Regards Stella

carper (64936) 2008-10-25 11:05

just a poster sery very unusual shot here Bulent,
but a very good photo, with a very nice note I like that to my friend, good contrast, I like it bulent, good photojob, have a nice weekend.
regard jaap

gunbud (27907) 2008-10-25 11:53

Hi Bulent,
Wonderful capture of this wonderful billboard celebrating the upcoming performances.
Excellent textue and details to this wall.
Very interesting note about the birthplace of this most Italian art form.
Regards, Tom

paura (38456) 2008-10-25 15:29

Bulent,
Very beautiful composition, with excellent colors from the interesting image. details are really great.

Please keep me in touch about news from your trip to Rio if its happen.

Have a nice sunday, friend.

Paulo

jmcl (13865) 2008-10-25 19:56

Hi Bulent,

On the image .. I love the concept .. I think I might crop the top of the wall off .. I don't think the sky serves much purpose .. but overall the image is really wonderful and effective .. has a wonderful rustic feel ..

Your opera history sounds right to me .. since you asked for my thoughts .. the one thing I have been thinking about this more recently .. credited to professor Bob Ehle ... is how the beginning of opera was a return to simple music simplicity (melody with simple accompaniment .. ) a return from the complex polyphonic masses of the renaissance .. which themselves had built gradually through time from simple chant ..

following this example that the whole of music history in can be seen through these cycles of simplicity and complexity .. The beginning of opera marks the beginning of the Baroque in music .. and from the simple early Monteverdi operas complexity again grows through the Baroque .. peaking with Bach and Handel .. and then .. the early classical Roccoco .. the simple textures of Bach's children .. like they only way to strike new ground was to go simple .. how to be more complex than Bach? .. there are several more cycles .. most recently a similar motion in the "new simplicity" in the minimalism of American music of the early 1970s .. the only way to strike new ground after the 1960s was to be simple .. Glass, Reich, Riley, Adams, Pärt, etc.

and then one could go to John Corigliano's wonderful opera "The Ghosts of Versailles" .. on the death of opera ..

I should type these things late at night .. hopefully my thought is somewhat coherent ..

take care,

John

MLINES (10884) 2008-10-25 21:17

Hi Bulent, Juxstaposition of the old wall and the modern posters makes this an eye-catcher. The notes, as always informative and living. Good lens for both wide angle as well as zoom. Good result. TFS. Murray.

jhm (82601) 2008-10-26 0:38

Hello Bulent,

Happy that you write excellent note.
I learnt almost everytime, when you post a picture.
Opera one of the most difficult assignments in the show world.
You found the different advertisements, took a good picture,quality and sharpness is very well, a totally other subject than usual.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice weekend,
John.

Tezic (16927) 2008-10-26 1:44

Merhaba Bülent Bey,
duvardaki koyu renk ve doku üstüne oturan hatta etrafındaki siyahlık sayesinde derinlik kazanmış çok renkli afişlerin hem renk uyumu hem de dikkat çekiciliği çok güzel olmuş... benim tercihim bu detayların bütünlüğünün ve baskın konumunun dikkati dağıtmaması adına resmin ağaçları kapsayan üst bölümünü kesmek olabilirdi.. tebrikler...
iyi pazarlar-coşkun

JCG (25377) 2008-10-26 8:54

Hi Bülent,

There is an aesthetic side in this photograph which I like, I think that it is the texture of the wall which emphasizes well this whole of coloured posters. For my part I will have removed the top of the wall to make disappear these electric wires which, however, grow blurred in the nuances of the wall. Glance interesting and which illustrates the comment well once moreover very instructive. Thank you Bülent.

With all my friendships and with soon,

Jean-Charles

vascao (192) 2008-10-26 15:37

"...each I could hear in my mind’s ear"
Mine as well. Cheerful, colorful image, very unusual and eye-catching, Bulent.
[]'s
Sergio

Graal (58039) 2008-10-27 0:25

Hi Bulent,
an interesting presentation, good informations in note and fine photojob. I like it.
Gr., Aleksander

azaf1 (15547) 2008-10-27 2:33

Good morning Bulent
I like that you can find in the ordinary a good prompt to make a good presentation, and this one about the origin of opera is really creative. What I really like is that you have shown just a few posters, old and torn, an ephemeral view to connect it to the classic and diachronic concept of the opera. My compliments on that.
Have a nice week
Argiris

It was only a one term class but they still come in to show me their latest. Next week, hopefully, I will start with my fresh ones.Thanks

jwmunro (6585) 2008-10-27 8:41

Hello Bulent -

This is a great travel image! I like it for several reasons, but the foremost is my love of the Opera. A musical work that is misunderstood by so many and loved by so few. One of these days I would like to visit La Scala in Milan and hear some Puccini or maybe the Roman arena in Verona for Aida or Turandot. A performance at La Scala of Tosca would make the perfect visit.

Thank you for sharing.

John

TGULUMSER (12512) 2008-10-27 12:28

Bulent Bey merhaba,
Cok guzel, anlamli, cok sey anlatan bir goruntu yakalamissiniz,
Elinize saglik,
Tulay

papagolf21 (56435) 2008-10-28 5:25

Bonjour, mon bon ami Bulent,
Un petit clin d'oeil :
Les Français sont faits pour composer de la musique d'opéra, les Italiens pour la chanter, les Allemands pour la jouer, les Anglais pour l'entendre et les Américains pour la payer.
[Enrico Caruso]
La note est richement documentée et accompagne parfaitement la composition.
Très bonne observation, comme à l'accoutumée.
Amitiés.
Philippe

ahmetgedikli (21916) 2008-10-28 14:16

Birbaşka güzel sunum daha Hocam... Afişleri bir arada görmek şansın yanında, operaya ilginizin boyutunu da göz enine seriyor, iyi de fotoğraflamışsınız.
Ellerinize sağlık, Ankara'dan selamlar.
Ahmet

jrj (34779) 2008-10-29 6:05

It's becoming your trademark Bulent to have a top balance between the photo and the notes. As here, using the wallposters as an introduction to your informative notes. The capture itself function well, especially I think as you use the sourrondings as a kind of frame for the result.

anokutan (7655) 2008-10-29 10:04

Bülent bey merhabalar,
Kahve zeminin üzerinde dizilen afişler çok güzel.Görüntüleme tarzınız da usta işi.Selam ve saygı.

Bugraa (752) 2008-10-29 14:21

Bülent Bey selamlar;
Zemin ve afişler çok güzel bir ritm oluşturmuşlar.
Çok uzun zamandır operaya gidemiyorum maalesef.
Bu afişleri görünce işten güçten vakit ayırıp operaya gitmek şart oldu.
Çok başarılı bir fotoğraf olmuş gerçekten.
Ellerinize sağlık.
Oguzhan...

mesutilgim (36858) 2008-10-29 14:35

Selam sevgili Bülent,
Ben de bu "konuşan duvarlar"a bayılıyorum.
Bu duvarda mükemmel. Muhteşem grafik etkisi olan bir çalışma.
Gözüne gönlüne sağlık
Tebrikler
Selam ve sevgiler
MESUT ILGIM

litiancai (1040) 2008-10-29 21:22

Hi Bulent,
Great notes, very informative! I have to say I have no interest in opera sadly, however I think the photo is a fine one which well documents some of the cultural heritage of Italy, and with your notes well worth sharing.
Thanks for the information!
Regards
Lee

saylan-cb (12726) 2008-10-30 2:56

Merhaba Bülent Bey,
Duvarın dokusu afişlerle bambaşka bir boyut kazanmış.Detaylarla bezenmiş mükemmel bir kare.
Ellerinize sağlık
Selamlar

mursaloglu (5164) 2008-10-31 2:31

Dear bulent bey
I always liked the classical music and opera and your pic gaved me great sense of emotion. Amazing this pattern of posters and great sense of depht inside. Really very charming photo and great as usual your style. Bravo ihsan

rigoletto (26326) 2008-10-31 4:30

Hello Dear Professor,
As you mentioned in your latest words on my photo, i have a close affinity to opera. I like of course La Traviata and La Bohéme, but for me, Don Giovanni is the best opera ever written and will be written most probably :)
Your photo and descriptive note urge me to visit my CD archive asap.
Best wishes,
Deniz

Emile (19999) 2008-11-01 14:43

Hola Bulent.
Very original shot with a very good note.
I always like your instructive notes, thank you.
Well done.
Best wishes and have a nice Sunday.

paololg (13761) 2008-11-02 3:35

Ciao Bulent,
the sense of this image is in yours interesting notes, a true lesson of history and Italian Renaissance culture. You know the history of my Country better of an italian, but what it does me more pleasure is that you are an estimator of our culture. Often Italy is seen only as mafia, spaghetti, madolini and beautiful life, but it's not always this way. Your beautiful photos and your notes are a homage to my Country and Italians. Thanks for the time and for the passion that dedicates us. I hope, one day, to meet you.
Ciao
Paolo

meb (744) 2008-11-02 8:53

Hello Bulent,
I love to shot at signs, posters or "creative" walls. I'm very attracted by their colors and even by the sign of time passing by...
You had a very good eye here in spotting these "opera" posters, we can call this a "well educated" wall, not polluted by other "publicity" signs. Maybe because is was on a side street? You know, unfortunately culture in Italy is a matter of few people nowadays...
And, as always, your notes are pure "condensed knowledge", we can always learn something new and not trivial.
You're a master!
Best regards
Marica

Wandering_Dan (3237) 2008-11-03 22:05

Merhaba, Bulent -

An interesting photo, as much if not more for the note as for the image itself. One tends to overlook posters like these, though such a gathering as this does catch the eye, and the wall behind it makes its own deteriorating architectural point.

Yes, we are back, from Turkic-speaking lands (with minor exception); we even had a linguist along whose specialty is Turkic languages. (The guide did all the translating, though, using Russian half the time.) Our linguist friend had the least trouble in Turkmenistan and Kazakstan, more in Kyrgyzstan, and also Uzbekistan because of their many dialects. Lots of pictures, coming slowly.

Best,
Dan

Bluejeans (32391) 2008-11-13 10:43

Ola Bulent,
Muito interessante esta tua foto bem artística com estes cartazes de opera , uma bela homenagem ao seu nascimento , gostei muito dos detalhes, parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

Didi (36158) 2008-11-22 7:23

Salam Bulent
Pavaroti, Alagna ... Mario lanza ... I like to hear some Opera music
Very nice composition about Opera publicity.
My favorite is Verdi's Aida introduction, without forgotting Carmen.
Best regards.

skippy007 (7083) 2008-12-05 2:30

Hello Bulent, A very good high quality image & an excellent tool to convey a very interesting story.
Expertly delivered on all counts.
Thank you
Regards
Santo