A1

Tyler Buchbinder

Professor Roundtree

Art and Technology

13 February 2018

La Fanciulla del West

The Opera I choose was La Fanciulla del West by Giacomo Puccini, it was first performed on December 10, 1910, at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. It is based on the play The Girl of the Golden West. The ‘Mise en scene’ that is seen in ‘La Fanciulla del West’ is unique and reveals a creative side of storytelling. The opera helps uncover unique character types and is presented at different points throughout the piece. There are a lot of ways that the opera helps create unique paradigms and dimensionality. The unique storyline and portrayal differentiates the piece in a lot of degrees. It also helps create a valuable paradigm of traditional operatic design with a new and fresh perspective. 

Technology is used as a catalyst in different parts of the storyline. Audiences may have initially reacted to the use of technology intermittently with a sense of awe and enthusiasm. This is because of the tasteful way that the story was articulated a narrative while incorporating elements of modern technology (Puccini & Zangarini).

There are several aspects of modern development that are seen with this opera. Technology through staging techniques that were both experimental and nontraditional defined the experience in the opera to a great degree. It also was a unique way to change the perspective of the audience throughout the piece. Emerging themes in story design have also been propagated as a result of the cinematic productions. Technology is also used in the piece when establishing a timeline through history. The old Westerns and Hollywood sets are displayed which makes the transitions experienced by Minnie profound. In the story, the owner a bar and nightclub Minnie is the protagonist. There is a constant sense of struggle and hardship is imminent. Even though there are a lot of hardships it is clear that Minnie is determined to remain positive. As the main narrator in the piece, Minnie is able to create a new space for the archetypal role that is played. Relief and breathing for the workers is the defining theme in this well-articulated drama.

The piece is important in the chronological development of Opera for several reasons. As a director in the 21^st century, there are several ways this piece could be used in a video game. The unique incorporation of technology, as well as character profiles, builds a vivid framework. As a role-playing video game, it would be possible to let players interact with multiple dimensions of ‘La Fanciulla del West’. My first thoughts would be to make the main character Minnie and have the game focus on helping Dick Johnson the bandit escape.

The ‘verismo’ styling was seen in this piece. It was characteristic of Puccini’s traditional design. The story and plot was designed by David Belasco and had gained significant momentum and is a rendition that is well known for its use of traditional phrasing and classic performance dynamics (Puccini & Zangarini).

Works Cited

Puccini, G., Civinini, G., & Zangarini, C. (1997). La fanciulla del West. Courier Corporation.