Our class discussion was an extension of our previous class on the topic of opera. Here we focused on more modern operas and the lyrical music and stories behind the shows.
One film excerpt I found especially interesting and humorous was from a Bugs Bunny cartoon titled "Kill the Wabbit". This definitely showed the cultural significance and influence opera still has on popular culture today. This particular episode attempted to encompass all different elements involved in a typical opera, including technology. Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny go through a series of violent, romantic, and tragic duets to well-known opera music with comical lyrics relating to the characters' relationship. Elmer Fudd uses his magic helmut to strike lightning and create a thunderous storm to harm the rabbit, using technology in his favor. Costumes were also used by Bugs Bunny to give the illusion of being an attractive female to distract Elmer.
We also focused on tragic romances with somewhat perverted twists within them. "Carmen", "La Traviata", "Aria", and "Salome" all exhibited this. Aria and Salome used violence and mutilation as well, showing the insanity that love can cause during hard times.
All of these operas were definitely different from what one normally thinks of when classic opera comes to mind. This shows how time and society influences music and what is acceptable to produce in public entertainment.
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