I'm writing an Opera

right now Im writing the overture

I was wondering if anyone would recommend some opera scores or some vocal music to study since this is the first time I've ever attempted to write something so big

Depending on what kind of opera you want to write, what is its themes, you can state that in detail, for I am afraid we now can only reccomend you generical "masterpieces" of the opera which might not even suit your writing at all.

just my two cents. ;)

I agree. We could just list a ton of operas we personally enjoy or whatever, but I don't know whether that would be very helpful to you. Tell us a bit more what you want, what kind of opera you want to write, what you wish to learn from these scores etc. and we may be able to be more helpful.

Before everyone else says it: one usually composes the overture last, as by then one knows what the overall feel and style of the music is.

Daniel : well, he might have wanted the overture to set the mood and the themes? ah, he was trying to be revolutionary. ;)

The main reason that most composers wrote the overture last was that this was the last piece that was needed, since the singers didn't have to practice it and the orchestra would usually only start to practice very late.

If you're not writing for a fixed performance, that's not much of an issue.

If you're not writing for a fixed performance, that's not much of an issue.

So he'd be writing an opera for no one to perform it?

Sounds like an issue to me....and quite a large waste of time. From the only other music I've seen of yours here, I don't think you should be writing an opera. You could, but if you want to be a serious composer you have to start small. Write songs, solo and chamber pieces, and listen to and study music. You learn a lot more this way much quicker and then you have the compositional tools you need to write an opera, as well as more life experience in general (I'm assuming you're a teenager, but of course I could be completely wrong).

If you don't care about anything I just said, then go ahead and write an opera, if you think you can (and, somehow, I doubt you will...).

Some good composers to study would be those you like and want to learn from. If you don't know of any operas to study....should you really be writing one :P?

So he'd be writing an opera for no one to perform it?

I'm not saying that. Just that if it's not a commissioned work where the date of the premiere is already determined, the order of composing the pieces doesn't matter from an organisational point of view. That doesn't mean it won't ever get performed. Most people on these forums write pieces without already knowing if, when and by whom they will be performed.

Admittedly, the chance of it getting performed are lower when you're writing something that costs so much to perform and involves so many people as an opera. But it always depends on the type of opera too. You can write a tiny little opera for two singers and a piano that lasts 20 minutes. Or do something crazy Stockhausen-like...

That's why I asked to tell us more about what kind of opera he wants to do.

The more people say you can't or you won't, the more you should want to write your music. So what if it may never reach the stage, at least it will have reached your heart... and isn't that the reason for music anyways?

yeah, he can write the piece to hopefully get performed one day...but...it's just not practical to write an opera at his age (still assuming he's a teenager...no one's contradicted me yet)! It'd be a different story if it was getting performed...then I'm sure the motivation would be enormous, and the piece would likely definitely get written...

Gardener, I understand what you meant, I was just adding that if he's not writing it for anyone then that's the issue. I was a bit unclear, sorry...

I go on about this because I've seen it so many times here, and used to think like that myself. Then, I listened to reason, and started small and worked up. Now I'm much better for it, and look forward to the day when I'm ready to write operas. Everyone does that. Even Mozart started with solo piano pieces (albeit...he moved on to everything else quickly...and was 4 when he started....but then again, he was Mozart ;))

I want to hear his overture, maybe then we can make a good assessment?

Depending on what kind of opera you want to write, what is its themes, you can state that in detail, for I am afraid we now can only reccomend you generical "masterpieces" of the opera which might not even suit your writing at all.

just my two cents. ;)

well, I doubt my story is anything similar to the standard repertoire but it's themes deal with love, betrayal, loyalty,

lots of conflict in the story line too, with warfare and what not

would it be more helpful to post up a basic synopsis?

love, betrayal, loyalty, lots of conflict ... warfare and what not

no opera deals with those themes, you're right.

no opera deals with those themes, you're right.

no need to be a dick about it I said the story I have is nothing similar to the repertoire

I'd still like to here what anything you've got done so far lol :).

hmmm, you might want to start planning the exact storyline and things tho. I still think you might be better off writing the draft outline, then filling in the parts, and then lastly writing the overture.

hmmm, you might want to start planning the exact storyline and things tho. I still think you might be better off writing the draft outline, then filling in the parts, and then lastly writing the overture.

I already have the story line

Then tell us. You can't blame someone for their sarcasm when you tell us that it's not like most other operas and then mention the exact themes that most operas deal with, but don't tell us what makes your opera different. Life exists in details, and theatre is about things not about ideas. If you say your opera is about love and betrayal, I'm sure ten people here could mention their favorite opera on those themes and you'd have ten different operas from ten different composers, maybe even from ten different time periods.

People are asking you for the information they need in order to help you, and you're not giving them that information. Then when they can't help you, you get snarky.

So, to answer your question: yes, please post a synopsis.