| Summary: | Opera Breve is a chamber opera company that was initiated by three
students during a seminar in operatic literature at the University of British
Columbia. During the four years of its activities, the company has distinguished
itself by producing one-act chamber operas in unconventional settings. Co-artistic
director John Juliani has had a large influence on the company's presentational
style, incorporating important aspects of his theatre aesthetic to the operatic art
form. R. Murray Schafer's work Beauty and the Beast was chosen for the third main
season, and represents the culmination of the company's artistic endeavours. The
main focus of this dissertation is an analysis of Opera Breve's production of Beauty
and the Beast.
The opening chapter defines the genre of the one-act chamber opera, briefly
traces its development to present day, and articulates why Opera Breve adopted
the form as the mainstay of its repertoire. The second chapter describes the
conception and artistic goals of the company. John Juliani's philosophy of free
theatre and its application to Opera Breve's past productions are discussed. The
third chapter presents Schafer's philosophy of Music Theatre as exemplified in his
cycle, Patria. The influence of Jungian archetypes in the symbology of Beauty and
the Beast, and its musical representation are presented. The fourth chapter
focuses on Opera Breve's 2001 production, discussing performance issues that
arise from the work. The synergy between Juliani and Schafer's philosophies, and
the production's fulfillment of Opera Breve's artistic goals are summarized in the
conclusion.
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