The Comparison of Dramatic Tension between Monteverdi''s “L’Orfeo” and Gluck''s “Orfeo ed Euridice”

• Main Authors: Shih-ling Huang, 黃士凌
• Other Authors: Chih-cheng Wang
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2005
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/15188745269702184315

碩士 === 國立臺南大學 === 音樂教育學系碩士班 === 94 === Dramatic tension is the focus of most interest in the opera, drama, and literature. It is also the soul of performance art. Among the methods of constructing dramatic tension, two distinctive points can be concluded. First, they depict the conflict of human nature. Second, they manage the atmosphere meticulously. The former can be further subdivided as conflict of the opposing emotions in a single role and that among different roles. The thesis compares the “dramatic tension” of Monteverdi’s “L’orfeo” and Gluck’s “Orfeo ed Euridice” in the dimension of literature and music. Comparative study of the dimension of literature is based on Aristotole’s “On The Art of Poetry”. By analyzing the arrangement of actions and the construction of climax, we try to realize why the Greek myth gets so popular. Comparative study of the dimension of music extends from the understanding of the drama of Orpheo. By analyzing the structure of musical component of the two arts, we try to realize how Monteverdi and Gluck construct the dramatic tension in “L’orfeo” and “Orfeo ed Euridice” respectively. Can some notable techniques of composing music and musical symbolism be found out? We are also devoted to integrate the two distinctly different field of literature and music. There are seven chapters in this thesis. The first chapter is INTRODUCTION. The second chapter, LITERATURE REVIEW, discusses about tragedy, opera, and the technique and style of composing music. The third chapter, STUDY METHOD, focuses on the turning points. The fourth chapter, EPOCH BACKGROUND, describes cultural backgrounds at the age of Monteverdi and Gluck and factors that impact on their artistic creative works. The fifth chapter, SCRIPT COMPARISON, compares the story of orpheo in Greek myth, the script of Monteverdi’s “L’orfeo” and that of Gluck’s “Orfeo ed Euridice”. The arrangement of actions, the construction of climax, and the creation of dramatic tension are the subject of comparison. The sixth chapter is titled as DRAMATIC TENSION in MUSIC. As you expect, it analyzes and compares the dramatic tension of musical component in the two masterpieces. The last chapter, SUMMARY, make a conclusion based on the above studies. There are two methods of construction of dramatic tension. First, by use of “contrast” of various kinds, dramatic tension becomes prominent. Second, by use of gradation, dramatic tension is further promoted. By accomplishment of the thesis, I hope to appreciate more about the art of opera and provide a valuable reference for others.