Composer's styles

[Lethevich]

Why is it harder to differenciate between the styles of 19th century Italian opera composers than it is with German symphonic composers? Or is this a false assertion which only applies to myself?

I feel that I can recognise the style of Verdi in particular, but for the life of me I cannot differenciate between Donizetti and Bellini - in fact, the two tend to blend together in my imagination, the only real difference between them seemingly being that one wrote little and one wrote a lot before both died young. Rossini stands apart from those two somewhat (I feel his grand overtures and overly dramatic style acts as a bridge beteen Mozart and Verdi), but still sounds very similar to them at times.

And is it bad to have this problem, or does the music trump all regardless of whether the source potentially cannot be recognised and appreciated? Are there distinctly differently fingerprints on Donizetti and Bellini's (and many other lesser lights) music despite both being in the bel canto style? Also (risking asking too many similar questions), does appreciation of the nuances of opera require formal musical study even more decisively than symphonic music?

[Tsaraslondon]

Why is it harder to differenciate between the styles of 19th century Italian opera composers than it is with German symphonic composers? Or is this a false assertion which only applies to myself?

I feel that I can recognise the style of Verdi in particular, but for the life of me I cannot differenciate between Donizetti and Bellini - in fact, the two tend to blend together in my imagination, the only real difference between them seemingly being that one wrote little and one wrote a lot before both died young. Rossini stands apart from those two somewhat (I feel his grand overtures and overly dramatic style acts as a bridge beteen Mozart and Verdi), but still sounds very similar to them at times.

And is it bad to have this problem, or does the music trump all regardless of whether the source potentially cannot be recognised and appreciated? Are there distinctly differently fingerprints on Donizetti and Bellini's (and many other lesser lights) music despite both being in the bel canto style? Also (risking asking too many similar questions), does appreciation of the nuances of opera require formal musical study even more decisively than symphonic music?

Any formal musical study I did was a long time ago, and yet I don't usually have a problem differentiating between the music of Donizetti and Bellini. I might, though have a problem with certain German symphonic composers. Maybe familiarity has something to do with it. Over the years, I have spent more time listening to early nineteenth century Italian opera than I do German symphonic music. I'm not even sure I can tell you how I recognize composers, whether they be German symphonic, nineteenth century Italian opera, or French impressionist. Maybe it's just instinct.

[knight66]

I am not an expert on Bel Canto, but I don't usually mistake these two composers. I find the orchestration of Donnizetti to be brighter than Bellini whose sound world reminds me of Gluck, it is so pure. Not exactly a technical explanation.

Early Verdi can sound like Donnizetti. I agree that Rossini stands out, though his William Tell could in places be Bellini.

Mike

[Lethevich]

I guess I need to listen more closely At the moment I am definitely in the novice stage.

[knight66]

I observe more sprung rhythms in Donizetti than in Bellini. But that is a sliver of an afterthought.

Mike

[Josquin des Prez]

Why is it harder to differenciate between the styles of 19th century Italian opera composers than it is with German symphonic composers?

Because there aren't a lot of truly great Italian opera composers, as opposed to the plethora of truly great German symphonists? Just an idea.

[mamascarlatti]

Because there aren't a lot of truly great Italian opera composers, as opposed to the plectra of truly great German symphonists? Just an idea.

You think Otello and Don Carlos are not the mark of a great operatic composer? Just an idea.

[Tsaraslondon]

Or Norma for that matter. am opera greatly admired by Richard Wagner and Otto Klemperer among other German musicians.

[Josquin des Prez]

You think Otello and Don Carlos are not the mark of a great operatic composer? Just an idea.

Lethe was talking about Italian operatic composers in general, except for Verdi. That exception was implied in my statement as well.

[mamascarlatti]

Lethe was talking about Italian operatic composers in general, except for Verdi. That exception was implied in my statement as well.

Yes well i would agree that some 19th century Italian operatic composers aren't "Great" although I enjoy enjoy some of their work immensely.