Gerald Mendelsohn - The Play of Gender and Power in Mozarts Da Ponte Operas

The Play of Gender and Power in Mozarts Da Ponte Operas Gerald Mendelsohn Mondays, 24 pm Oct 5-Nov 9, 2009 Like siblings, the three operas that Mozart wrote to the texts of witty librettist Lorenzo da Ponte Le nozze di Figaro (1786), Don Giovanni (1787), and Cosi fantutte (1790) — have both unique identities and a shared family resemblance. All arecomical, yet their serious treatment of gender, love, and social power give them emotional force and contemporary relevance. We will watch these operas and discuss their historical, stylistic, and biographical background. You do not need prior knowledge of operatic literature or music to enjoy the course.