Assignment #7 Attend a Dance

Back in October I attended the ballet Dracula, I saw posters and banners around Columbia last year and really wanted to see it. Finally this year I finally was able to see the performance. It was such a different theme then a normal ballet that it caught my attention.
Describe  The ballet goes follows along with the same plot of Bram Stoker's Dracula.  Jonathan, a lawyer, is sent to Transylvania to close a deal on Dracula's castle. While he is there he is seduced by three of Dracula's mistresses, luckily he escapes. Back in at his home Van Helsing is holding a pinic with Mina, Jonathan's wife, Victoria, his daughter, Lucy and Author, his two friends. At night Dracula comes to Lucy and turns her to a vampire. Author and Dr. Van Helsing have to do the unthinkable to free her soul. While distracted Dracula captures Victoria. The group goes to fight Dracula, in the end Author joins Lucy and Victoria is reunited with her parents.
Analyze I really enjoyed the gothic style of costume and the eery background props, it really brought the play all together. The dances were amazing, the beats and music that they danced to were so upbeat and powerful that it gave me goosebumps. Some of the dances by certain groups were repeated throughout the play, like the madiens they did the same steps several times. Each way the groups moved together were in perfect harmony, it was really stimulating to see a ballet so entertaining and technically well done. 

Interpret The mood is dark and eery, but the message conveyed is about undying love, the writer really creates an ironic ballet. Even in some of the dances the music is soft and passionate but soon are dark and strong. Everyone ended up with the people they loved. 
Evaluate I absolutely loved this ballet; it was so powerful and strong and I would recommend it for anyone to see. The ballet was beautiful and the plot was gothically romantic, I hope to see it again next year.  

Assignment # 8 Attend a concert

SoundCheck is the student all male a cappella group at the University of South Carolina. Each winter they put on a concert to help support the Palmetto's Children's Hospital.
Describe Like last year the auditorium is standing room only, seats are filled within minutes of the doors opening. Each of the members introduced themselves and one explained why they were asking everyone to bring a toy. In the beginning they sang modern songs, which I love a cappella anything so this part was enjoyable. Then they moved on to holiday music, which is always fun.
Analyze The members varied from bass to soprano and each complimented each other. One member was even a beat-boxer using his mouth and and hands to make a beat. SoundCheck participated in two different disciplines of art- Music and Dance.
Interpret The concert was put on to raise toys for the children at the Palmetto Children's Hospital. Another reason to put on the concert was to promote the awareness of SoundCheck, to make them more known, at one point they asked people to buy their christmas cd.
Evaluate I really enjoyed the performance, I don't mean to be cheesy but its like having Glee perform right in front of you. From popular to Christmas songs, the concert was really enjoyable and I can't wait for the next one.

Assignment #9 Attend a Play

I attended the play Big Love. 


Describe: Big Love was performed in the Longstreet Theater, which is a theater in the round. A family of girls were set up against their will to marry their cousin. Instead of doing so they escaped accidently to the house of Piero, where things are just as bad. Instead of helping them Piero set them up for marriage. The girls decided to seek revenge and kill the husbands to be. All but one killed their grooms, the one who did not ran off and saved her husband. I really enjoyed the creativeness of the set and costumes. It was fun to watch fellow students act in such a interesting play.

Interpret: With such little props and costumes, the actors really had to own their character and make the audience believe in what was happening. This "big love" has really become popular in other medias so it was a perfect idea to use for the Longstreets Theater. It was an enjoyable play full of love and revenge. The actors did a great job of making it come to life.

Analyze: Big Love is a play to bring attention to the ancient ways of the Greeks to present day. Marriage set-ups are still not so uncommon in the past or present. It gave multiple views of the situation for the bride, groom, and parents.

Evaluate: I really enjoyed this play because of the USC involvement, its put on by students, made by students, etc. This was my first time in Longstreet Theater and I really hope that I will be able to go back. Big Love was entertaining and I would recommend almost anyone to see it.

Assignment #10 Opera and Musical Theater

1.Turandot is a three act opera composed by Giacomo Puccini, who died before the opera was completed, but it was finished by Franco Alfano. The opera is about Princess Turnadot who would only marry a man who could solve her three puzzles and every many that tried and failed lost their head. Before giving up one man solved the three puzzle, but Turandot was not pleased, he plead with her that if she could find out his name before the next morning, she could have his head. Searching for his name day and night, she comes across a maid who gave in to the Princess. Ecstatic with the knowledge of his name she runs through town yelling " I know his name I know his name." She says "his name is... love," for she had been in love with him the entire time.

Mozart

2. Two operas composed by Mozart: Don Giovanni and Marriage of Figaro 

Carousel, a light opera

3. The difference between a light opera and an opera is that during the performance of a light opera words are spoken, not everything is sung. Light opera appeals to more audiences and usually are more popular. An opera is a more elite style of music and theater. Both are appealing and I hope to experience them some day. 

I had a really fun time with this activity in class. The opera, Turnadot, was fun of love and passion, death and chaos. I think my small drawing elicits all the emotions expressed during this play.