Opera was, and to many Italians, still is the ultimate retreat and entertainment form to escape the daily grind. Attend an opera in Italy and you may find yourself sitting next to a senior citizen who hums even the short orchestral melodies that link one major scene to another.

Italian art songs from the 17th and 18th centuries were showcases for the voice and did not emphasize poetry, a contrast to how Italian song had first flowered in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries. Romantic poetry from this earlier Italian era inspired new, earthy, and even sometimes bawdy poetry and subject material. Most of the world's great composers from Europe and beyond made pilgrimages to Italy to study the Italian song and operatic style that was thought to insure success. The results are obvious: it is still with us.

Many faculty are helping students to prepare some of the world's most beautiful Italian song literature to put together in one tasty menu of musical presentations for Monday evening filled with delicious wine, food, and song in the UCO Jazz Lab.
 

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