COURSE OFFERED FALL 2025
Teaching Institution: Manhattan School of Music
Course Tutor: James Massol
Contact: jmassol@msmnyc.edu
Course Levels: Undergraduate
The Underrepresented in Opera
COURSE SUMMARY
This class covers the history of opera from the earliest works around 1600 to the present, considering works written or performed by underrepresented creators. The content for this course includes either works by underrepresented composers and/or librettists or stories about BIPOC, LGBTQ, and woman characters, which would typically be performed by such performers. The chosen repertoire blends canonical works with lesser-known repertoire.
Topics include biography of the creators, experiences in the creative process, choice of stories, context of stories, treatment of characters in the stories, casting of the roles, reception history, etc. In some cases, we will take a critical view of representation and in other cases not. Readings will include underrepresented authors, and all performances will include a high percentage of underrepresented artists. The course is completely asynchronous, divided into short lectures, readings, and watching/listening assignments. Students will complete the course assignments weekly, with each unit beginning and ending on Mondays.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
- Examine the history of opera from the late-16th century to today by taking a critical view of historiography and focusing on operas that include underrepresented creators.
- Read music criticism on the subject of underrepresented creators.
- Discuss the representation of ethnicity, race, gender, and sexual orientation in opera.
- Consider the path forward with problematic operas.
COURSE OUTCOMES
- Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Develop a critical view of opera historiography.
- Be able to identify selections from operas of underrepresented composers by listening.
- Be able to discuss and write about important works by underrepresented creators as well as problems with opera’s traditional historiography.