Opera and Opera Fandom
Discuss the issues surrounding the physical appearance of female singers on the operatic stage. What are the broader issues at play in this debate?
The contemporary American society, in general, makes the assumption that opera is one of the few outstanding fields of entertainment where talent is of greater significance and implication compared to the physical appearance. However, this is not the case as made evident by the 2004 firing of Deborah Voigt. Opera singers, in the present day, are progressively being held to more stringent image standards. In particular, in the year 2004, Covent Garden laid off Voigt from their making of Ariadne auf Naxos, in which Voigt was meant to recap her censoriously highly praised construal of the title role. As stated by Voigt, Peter Katona, the casting director of Covent Garden, had the feeling that she was too big to fit into the little black dress that the new production necessitated of the character. Taking this into consideration, the elimination of Voigt from the production highlights the issues surrounding the physical appearance of female singers on the operatic stage (Stephenson 1).
In addition, when the young Irish mezzo-soprano, Tara Erraught, took up the role of Octavian in the performance of "Der Rosenkavalier" for an Opera production, an unpleasant polemic burst forth in the British press. A clique of male critics in London gave a free rein to some bizarrely cruel reviews, concentrating more on her appearance than on her singing. Tara Erraught was defined as a "chubby bundle of puppy-fat," perceived as being "stocky" and "dumpy of stature," as owning an "intractable physique" (Ross). These elements point up to the broader issues at play in this debate. This encompasses the seething issue of gender inequality and...
Caesar was an ethical leader because he focused on reforming society in order for the world's well-being as a whole to be possible. "Leaders of this type question whether "business as usual" is what they want to keep doing, and likely advocate changes to the accepted system" (Grace 9). He wanted change to happen and he wanted it to happen during his leadership, as he observed how many of his
Julius Caesar was a historical figure who has never failed to fascinate the people. He was a Roman army general and a politician as well. He put an end to the republican government in Rome and it was due to him that the reign of emperors began in Rome. Julius Caesar used the hardships and sufferings of the people of that time as a tool to develop his military as
After Cato saw that his forces were defeated by Caesar, in traditional Roman fashion, he fell on his sword and committed suicide. Despite this great loss for the Senatorial faction, Pompey's sons Gnaeus Pompeius and Sextus Pompeius, together with Titus Labienus, Caesar's former propraetorian legate (legatus propraetore) and second in command in the Gallic War, escaped to Spain, where they continued to resist Caesar's dominance of the Roman world. Caesar
Even Brutus, who feared absolute power, became corrupt. The play explores different types of power, both the type that Caesar had bestowed upon him but also military power and power gained from making political connections demonstrated by Antony and Octavius. All types of power can be potentially abused. 2. Compare and contrast-Portia and Calpurnia The main difference between Calpurnia's role and Portia's is that the latter helps plot against Caesar while
Julius Caesar has remained one of the most poignant stories about a power struggle in the English language. It is precisely because personality cults have consistently eroded institutions of public office that this play will always remain relevant. The play illustrates not only that a popular yet unorthodox leader may sweep away democratic and free institutions, but that killing such a leader might result in even more turmoil. This was
Julius Caesar is an honorable man because he is a brave man, a good warrior, and a great leader. People are against him because he has become stronger and more powerful, but he repeatedly turns down the crown, which could make him a dictator. He does not worry about himself or his well being, he thinks about the people. He is also wise, and knows there are people he trusts
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