Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was very important in changing classical opera with some new ideas. Here’s how he did it:
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Creating Characters:
- Mozart made characters in his operas feel real and deep.
- His stories featured heroes and heroines with different personalities and reasons for their actions, making us care about them.
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Mixing Music and Story:
- He blended music and the story together well, so that the music helped move the story along.
- A great example of this is in "The Marriage of Figaro" (1786). Here, the music matches the feelings of the characters perfectly, making it all come together beautifully.
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Using Groups:
- Mozart was a trailblazer in using group performances, where several characters sing together at the same time.
- In "Don Giovanni" (1787), he created a scene where five singers showed off their voices in a complex way, making the opera richer and more interesting.
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Adding Folk Tunes:
- He brought in folk tunes and rhythms, making his music more familiar and enjoyable for everyone.
- This helped his operas become popular, especially in "The Magic Flute" (1791), which included styles common in Vienna.
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Writing for Singers:
- Mozart paid attention to how singers perform. He wrote parts that highlighted their best abilities.
- His operas required skill but also allowed singers to express their feelings, like in "A Little Night Music" (1787), where there are impressive solo songs.
Through these new ideas, Mozart changed opera forever. He set the stage for future composers and raised the bar for storytelling through music.