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State budgetary educational institution
Secondary school №473
Research work
The topic
The performing arts
Authors:
Kazak Ksenia, Hayitmyradov Artem
6B class
Supervisor:
Anna A. Ponomareva,
English teacher, secondary school № 473
Saint-Petersburg
2016
Content
Actuality of our research
“The whole world is theatre and people in it are actors”. This phrase of Petronius has been famous since the times of William Shakespeare and the Globe Theatre. In fact, people have always tried to portray made-up situations. Singing and dancing are natural human actions. Even children like acting out some scenes. But not many people are able to express the feelings and the actions of their characters on the stage. Only professionals deserve the viewers’ attention. Definitely various performing arts make every show unforgettable. That’s why our research is very important.
It’s impossible to imagine our world without theatre. All of us enjoy watching drama performances or puppet shows. We are faced with new types of theatrical genres. However, they have features of the well-known ones and originate in the past. The history of performing arts and the development of human society are closely connected. So our research is a good way to understand what makes people love theatre.
A lot of people would admit they have always wanted to perform before an audience. Our dream came true a year ago. We had to act on the stage in the play “Apples” at school. It was an unforgettable experience because of excitement and viewers’ support. So we decided to learn more about performing arts. We tried to understand why people love acting and love watching performances.
The main goal of our research is
to study performing arts, their origin and the sources of modern musical and drama theatre.
The practical tasks of our research are
The object of our research is
a variety of performing arts.
Chapter1
Performing arts in ancient times
Theatre of the ancient Greece and Rome
A lot of researchers believe that performing arts started in ancient times [1, 2, 3, 4]. People celebrated important nature events for example a good harvest or a spring arrival. They had to communicate with their gods to ask them for help and support in their everyday life. People depended on “strong anger” or “good mood” of nature. That`s why they tried to perform their request in the most expressive ways. The first actors were priests and shamans who prayed using all the entertaining means such as singing, dancing and shouting spells [1, 4]. The first viewers were their gods. All ritual actions were made for them [9].
Theatre of ancient Greece and Rome had its special place in people`s lives. It helped them to think of their problems. Plays showed the most suitable solutions [2]. Such performances were not often held. Celebrations took place three times a year. Actors sang songs in honor of the God Dionysus. Three tragedies and one comedy were shown. Spectators had to determine the best actor and the best author. At the end of the holiday winners got prizes [3, 4].
We were really amazed to know that tragedy is translated as a song of a goat from ancient Greek. Tragedy was a main show in those times. Actors were wearing goats` skins. They sang songs and acted out dialogues. Comedies had merry plots. They were also popular. Authors used myths for their plays. Through tales they described modern problems and new thoughts about their society. The Greek theatre was a public institution. Rich inhabitants paid for training the choir. All the roles were acted by men. They performed on the round area which was called an orchestra. Seats for viewers were made of stone or wood. They were located on the nearest hill. Actors played their roles in masks and high sandals. Decorations were almost absent. The main effect of every performance was to refuse from human passions. The death of the main character was not useless. The hero died paying for his active life. Calm and quiet characters survived [2, 3, 4].
The theatre of Ancient Rome was rather comfortable for people. The first building was created in 55 BC by Gnaeus Pompeius. It had a regular semicircular shape. Viewers were divided according their social positions. Shows include circus performances and gladiator fights. We have learnt that the job of actor was shameful in ancient Rome in contrary to Ancient Greece where actors were related with respect [9].
Chapter 2
The sources of performing arts in the middle ages
Ancient Rome was wiped off the Earth in 5th century BC. Its unique culture disappeared. The Middle Ages was a dark period in history. The Christian religion replaced all the achievements of previous generations. Christian priests fought against wonderful performances. They thought they were pagan and malicious shows. The Holy Bible gave people a picture of the world. New images of Jesus and saints became the characters of Christian shows. The main of them was a mystery. It was a street action. City inhabitants took part in it. They acted drama which had some religious plot. There were a lot of decorations. Actors were wearing fancy dresses. Such performances accompanied by special effects. For example a “murder” committed with streams of cow blood [1, 9].
Later a carnival appeared. We were really surprised to find out that the word carnival originated from Italian carnevale - good bye meat! The first carnivals were held before the Christian post. A lot of people have celebrated this festival since then. Shrovetide is one of our favourite winter holidays. We can have some pan cakes, tasty pies and other traditional dishes. But the most exciting part of the carnival is a street show. Actors sing and dance. They play jokes and act funny scenes. Grown-ups and children take part in this festival. Shrovetide was the same some centuries ago. Its participants were able to demonstrate their performing skills [9].
In the 13th – 16th centuries another street show appeared. Commedia dell' arte was the theatre of the Italian Renaissance. Actors performed in masks. They played roles of plain people who lived nearby. They made their characters funny and laughed at them. Commedia dell' arte included a lot of performing tricks. There was plenty of music and songs. The audience loved those performances very much. Venice and Naples were the two main centers of Commedia dell' arte. Performance styles of Venetian and Neapolitan actors were also slightly different. Venetian masks worked mainly in the genre of satire. The Neapolitan ones used more tricks and rude jokes. Commedia dell' arte inspired Shakespeare, Moliere and other authors to create their masterpieces. This kind of performing arts has remained an example of excellent actors` skills till now [1].
Chapter 3
The English Renaissance and the Globe Theatre
In England the Renaissance came late, but it was amazingly powerful. Drama theatre became the most popular kind of art. Viewers were peasants who came to the market, sailors, and ship masters from the port of London. Gentlemen and merchants visited that theatre too. The "Queen Bess" (Elizabeth) was hiding behind the mask while she was watching the show among the viewers. In the 16th century a big number of public and private theaters appeared in London. The most famous of them was the Globe Theatre [1]. A “theatre building” looked like a shed without a roof. There were no conveniences. Performances were given during the day. So artificial lighting did not exist. But there was plenty of space. About 1500 people could watch the play. William Shakespeare became the best author of the English theatre. He was an actor and co-owner of the Globe Theatre. He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in the family of a city inhabitant and went to a "grammar school". In 1585 Shakespeare came to London to look for his fortune. Using masterpieces of other authors, Shakespeare soon began to create his own plays for the Globe Theatre. He had been working as a writer and an actor in London from 1590 till 1612. He wrote 154 sonnets, some historical dramas and lyrical tragedies. All the plays were staged at the Globe Theatre which had been working till 1613. Then it burned to the ground [5]. In 1997 the new Globe Theatre was reconstructed. We were interested to learn that the theatre roof was made of straw and the auditorium has no roof at all. Builders tried to create the real Globe Theatre!
We think that the most well-known Shakespeare masterpiece is “Romeo and Juliet”. It is about love and death. It has been popular with composers, artists, actors and producers from all over the world till now. We enjoyed watching the film with Leonardo DiCaprio as Romeo. The plot is wonderful and the verses are brilliant.
Chapter 4
Opera and its origination
Opera is very popular with people from all over the world. It seems to us this kind of performing arts has always existed. However, opera is only seven hundred years old. It has been changed a lot since its birthday.
Opera was born in Italy. It “grew up” from the mystery performances, which included some musical parts. Singing made those shows more exciting and bright. The first opera prototype was a spiritual comedy “Saint Paul`s conversion”. Music accompanied the whole performance but it was a nice background of a dramatic action. At the end of the 16th century the first solo songs appeared. That genre was called “drama in musica”. The first opera composer was Italian Monteverdi by name [10]. He opened the first Opera House in 1637 in Venice. Only rich and noble people attended that theatre. Opera quickly became popular. Literary plots made those shows understandable and complicated in contrary to traditional concerts [8, 11, 12, 15].
We were astonished to find out that men sang all big arias till the 19th century. Their voices were called men`s sopranos. There were some serious opera performances. They had historical plots. Lyrical Tragedy or Big Opera originates from this kind of musical show. In the 18th century Opera- Buffa appeared [13]. It was a musical comedy. It showed actions of plain people who caught some funny situations. We think Operetta comes from Opera-Buffa.
Opera gradually spread from Italy into Europe. Then many poor people were able to watch shows and listen to wonderful singing because “galleries” (cheap seats) were sold for city inhabitants. Many great composers such as Gluck, Mozart, Wagner, Glinka, Dargomyzhsky, Dvorjak and many others became "fathers" of the opera world [15]. The Russian Opera gained popularity in the 19th century. Musical masterpieces of Glinka, Rimsky-Korsakov, Musorgsky and Tchaikovsky have hit our imagination till now. Music of the first Russian operas was closely connected with Russian folk songs. Composers took popular folk melodies to create beautiful arias for their characters. They learnt how to write music using examples of the Western European Opera. But they saved our national features. Opera lovers from all over the world know musical works of Prokhofiev, Shostakhovich and some other Russian composers [8, 11, 12].
We have found out some remarkable facts doing our research. Opera combines drama, music, scenery, decorations, costumes, choreography (ballet). Opera team includes a soloist, a choir, an orchestra, a military band and an organ. It was interesting to learn more about opera voices. Female voices are called soprano, contralto and mezzo-soprano. Male voices are called bas, baritone and tenor [10, 13].
There are several kinds of opera. Our grandparents like operetta. It is a musical performance with a light plot. An American Musical is another kind of opera. One of them is “Cats”. It is written by Lloyd Webber. We think this musical is an example of modern musical art.
Every visit to the Opera House always gives a lot of unforgettable impressions. Powerful voices of singers, beautiful costumes and amazing decorations provide us with energy and inspiration. Show touches our feelings. It makes us stronger and more optimistic. Not many people can imagine their spare time without visiting the Opera House at least once in a lifetime.
Chapter 5
The history of ballet
Ballet is another kind of performing arts. It was born in North Italy in the 16th century. Italian knights liked gorgeous festivals with songs and dances. Rural dances were very plain for noble people. Special teachers rehearsed beautiful movements with dancers. So ballet was turned into a view. Soon Italian teachers became popular in France [7, 14]. Balthazar de Bouaye was not only a teacher. He was a violinist, a composer and a producer. He managed to put on the stage the first ballet performance in 1581 in Paris. It was named “Circe, or the Comic ballet of the Queen”. Catherine De Medici who was the French Queen enjoyed that performance very much. So 15th October 1581 is considered a Day Ballet Birthday [7, 9, 14].
Pierre Beauchamp created some ballet rules in the middle of the 17th century. Foot turnout was the principle of movement. There were five feet positions and three arms positions. Since then this classification has been used in the world of ballet. The Paris Opera was opened soon. Only men dancers performed on the stage. The first women appeared in 1681. The most famous ballet dancer was Mademoiselle de La Fontaine who starred in “Triumph of love”. People named her “the queen of ballet”. Ballerinas had to wear long heavy dresses and high-heeled shoes. It was difficult to move easily [7].
The first ballet performance in Russia was held in 1673 in Moscow. It was a humorous play about the Russian Tsar Alexey. The Russian Ballet became popular in the 18th century. Charles Didlo created many performances for the Russian stage. Avdotya Istomina had leading roles in his plays. She was also a favourite ballerina of Pushkin [6].
“Swan Lake”, “Sleeping Beauty” and “Nutcracker” written by Tchaikovsky have been popular with people all over the world since the 19th century. Russian composer Igor Stravinsky created beautiful music for "The Firebird” and "Petrushka". Those performances were shown during "Russian Seasons" in Paris. Sergey Diaghilev organized them in the early 19th century. Galina Ulanova played unforgettable images of Juliet and Cinderella on the musical theatre stage. She often danced in ballets written by Sergey Prokofiev [6].
Now the Russian ballet is known all over the world. It is the best and the most popular with people who love music and dance.
Conclusion
We managed to explore that…
The ancient theatre taught people to live by the rules of their society. In addition, it gave an amazing performance.
The performing arts of the Middle Ages had religious roots. They were held in city streets. Some of the shows such as carnivals have been popular since then.
Drama theatre was the most popular kind of performing arts in England of the 16th century. William Shakespeare was the most famous author of those times.
Opera is only seven hundred years old. Classical opera has remained one of the most popular musical performances.
Ballet has been unforgettable performance since 16th century. It is one of the most beautiful and impressive kind of performing arts. The Russian Ballet is loved and well-known all over the world.
We have found out a lot of unusual and exciting facts. We have also learned how to study books and articles through the internet and in libraries. Finally, we enjoyed doing our research.
List of references
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2. Russell J., Cohn R., Theatre of ancient Greece. •ISBN: 978-5-5117-4945-7
3. Wiles D., Greek Theatre Performance: An Introduction. Cambridge University Press, 2000
4. Wiles D., Tragedy in Athens: Performance Space and Theatrical Meaning. Cambridge University Press, 1999
5. Аникст А., Театр эпохи Шекспира, Изд. Дрофа, 2006
6. Бахрушин Ю., История русского балета, Изд. Советская Россия, 1965
7. Брянцева В., Жан Филипп Рамо и французский музыкальный театр. М.: Музыка, 1981
8. Брянцева В., Французская комическая опера XVIII века. Пути становления и развития жанра. М.: Музыка, 1985
9. Долганова И., Хомайко Ю., Ямпольская Т., Всеобщая история театра. Изд. Эксмо, 2012
10. Конен В., Клаудио Монтеверди. М.: Советский композитор, 1971
11. Конен В., Пёрселл и опера. М.: Музыка, 1978
12. Кириллина Л., Реформаторские оперы Глюка. М.: Классика - XXI, 2006
13. Крунтяева Т., Итальянская комическая опера XVIII века. Л.: Музыка, 1981
14. Ли Лора, переводчик: Киселева П., Балет. История и музыка волшебного классического танца. Изд. АСТ, 2015
15. Черная Е., Моцарт и австрийский музыкальный театр. М., 1963
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