| Papers [1-15] of 100 :: [Page 1 of 7] | | Go to page : 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 —> | Search results on "MUSICAL THEATRE HISTORY": |
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Musical Theatre History, 2004.
An analysis of the history of musical theatre in the United States.
1,158 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 39.95
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Abstract
This paper briefly looks at the history of American musical theater traced back to the 18th century. It looks at various types of musical theatre pieces, such as rock musicals, revivals, classics, and others.
From the Paper
"In the 1790?s, theaters in New York City offered much more musical entertainments than mainstream theater drama. During this time, musical performances were flourishing in many other cities and commonly took place in the theater. This gave way to a the beginnings of a variety of entertainment including puppet shows, ballad operas, circuses, dances, all of which had some type of musical involvement."
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History of Musical Theater, 2004.
An examination of the history of musical theater in the United States from 1864-1950.
812 words (approx. 3.2 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 28.95
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Abstract
This paper explores some of America?s most important musical styles, which were usually found outside of the concert hall and represented such genres as comic opera, operetta, and other types musical revues. It looks at how these were usually located in the major cities like New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston and San Francisco. This paper provides a brief discussion of the history of these musical styles.
From the Paper
"The ?Great Depression? years, circa 1929 to 1940, created a huge impact on American music, for some long-existing institutions were forced to close their doors due to financial difficulties. The genre of the musical revue was also affected because of nationwide radio broadcasts that severely limited the number of people that attended live musical performances. As an example, ?between 1929 and 1934, about 70 percent of all musicians in the United States were unemployed? (Crawford, 2001, 590). Thus, with the advent of radio and later television, the true musical revue and its related genres were doomed, and in light of today?s technology have never fully recovered."
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Musical Theater, 2005.
Examines the history of musical theater in the United States.
1,371 words (approx. 5.5 pages), 8 sources, MLA, $ 45.95
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Abstract
Musical theater is almost as old as America itself. From the 1700s to the present day, the stages across the United States have come alive with the voices and instruments of dramatic, romantic and comedic musicals that have delighted audiences of all ages. This paper shows that the United States is known for its mixture of cultures, beliefs and traditions and where freedom of expression is not only allowed but encouraged. American musical theater is a prime example of this ethnic and cultural eclectic creativity and presentation. The paper traces the history of musical theater in the United States from the 1700s to the present day.
From the Paper
"Rodgers and Hammerstein started their run of hits with "Oklahoma." The seemingly impossible mixture of murder, suspense and music worked because the characters were characterized in depth. The creative team took other risks as well: Instead of opening with the usual stirring ensemble number, the curtain rose on a farm woman churning butter as a cowboy enters singing a solo about the beauty of the morning. Further, Hammerstein wrote lyrics for all the songs in a conversational style, each fitting specific characters and storytelling needs. In addition, since the characters would be dealing with emotions that might sound awkward if verbalized by cowboys and farm girls, Rodgers and Hammerstein decided to use dance as an integral element."
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Social Relevance and the Musical Theatre, 2002.
A study into how theatrical musicals have become a forum for discussing social issues.
4,200 words (approx. 16.8 pages), 40 sources, MLA, $ 112.95
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Abstract
This paper explores how music and the theatre have always worked together for as long as humanity has engaged in staging productions. It shows that music has played a part, sometimes minor, sometimes major, in many theatrical productions; however, since the late nineteenth century with the birth of the modern musical theater it has continued to gain importance and social relevance. The writer shows that as they gained in popularity, musicals became an entertaining forum for discussing relevant social issues, depicting the plights and victories of modern Western society.
From the Paper
"The first musical comedies began to emerge in the 1880?s, thanks to a pair called Harrigan and Hart. They were the owners of the Theatre Comique on lower Broadway. Unlike the Extravaganzas of the previous decade, Harrigan and Hart?s musical comedies began to stir up some social awareness. Many of the comedies that were staged on Broadway took place in the dishevelled streets of Manhattan, with characters reflecting the lives of those who lived and worked there. While the productions certainly took a comical viewpoint, the audience was very aware of the reality of the situation."
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Social Issues in American Musical Theatre, 2001.
An analysis of five American musicals and the social issues they wished to address - "South Pacific", "Oliver!", "Hair", "Miss Saigon" and "Rent".
3,700 words (approx. 14.8 pages), 11 sources, MLA, $ 102.95
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Abstract
This paper looks at five musicals, starting with "South Pacific". It uses lyrics from these shows to demonstrate how these musicals have served to raise society?s awareness about important issues. The idea is presented that since "South Pacific", musical theatre has expanded its base to reflect the lives of a wider variety of kinds of peoples, resulting in a body of work that more completely reflects both the people of America and the issues they face.
From the Paper
"The musical, a form of stage play that includes song and dance, has its roots in the opera but developed its current form in the United States. The unique nature of both diverse popuations and a wide range of sets of values in our country has had a significant effect on topics chosen for the story lines of musicals.
"At the turn of the century, shows by such authors as Victor Herbert told conventional stories of ?boy meets girl? love. The main characters all lived some mild variant of a conventional life. They might have gotten themselves into improbable situations, but they were heterosexual, chose partners close to their own age, made a strong connection between love and marriage, and generally reflected the accepted mores and standards of mainstream society. Races did not mix in any significant way. Whites did not fall in love with Blacks. In fact, the main characters, with the exception of Gershwin?s all-Black Porgy and Bess, were nearly always Caucasian."
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Global Theater History, 2006.
This paper looks at global theater history as education for 4th grade children.
2,600 words (approx. 10.4 pages), 6 sources, APA, $ 78.95
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Abstract
In this article, the writer looks at film, entertainment and the multimedia business. The writer focuses attention on these aspects in California. The writer discusses that the future lies in interactive entertainment that will take some major features of the computer and video game industry thereby putting an immense impact on the future of entertainment and technology. Further, the writer looks at the Disney business and the history of entertainment features from Japan.
Contents:
Thesis Statement
Outline
Introduction
The Various Entertainment Eras:
Entertainment History from Another Foreign Country: Japan
From the Paper
"After the 1990s, with the growth of digital content in entertainment, California has been acknowledged as the bastion of media entertainment with big banners like Titanic and Jurassic Park becoming blockbuster movies. The heavy special effects in these movies owe their origin in California which has the indomitable strengths of latest technology and rich content. Besides, novel forms of technology is expected to roll out when P.C., T.V. and telephone converge into one. Los Angeles is presently witnessing a multimedia boom as more than a several thousands of people are engaged in the multimedia business. California's tryst with entertainment dates back to the silent era when Mendocino became the first film to be made in its category in the Silent Movie Theatre. In the forthcoming five to six years it is anticipated that computer and video game business will be break unforeseen barriers will be worth a whopping $10 billion in US alone hooking kids and surprising adults too."
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Playbill and the History of Broadway Theater, 2002.
The paper analyzes the role the reference guide, Playbill, has played in Broadway's history, focusing specifically on the musical "Showboat" and its accompanying Playbill.
1,343 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 45.95
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Abstract
The paper explains the nature of a Playbill, a kind of reference guide to the show of the evening, summing up the cast list, the cast biographies, and also giving theatergoers a bit of advice about places to go in New York before and after the show. The paper examines the role the playbill plays in encapsulating the consumerist, capitalist nature of Broadway theater. It also explores the influence wielded by Showboat's playbill.
From the Paper
" ?Show Boat,? originally produced in 1926, and later revived at the Gershwin theater in 1994, has often been called the first modern Broadway musical. The image on the cover of the show?s Playbill during its most recent incarnation on Broadway is a sentimental picture of a turn of the century family of three waving at a large, smoking Riverboat show boat ship. This Playbill artifact encapsulates, perhaps more than any other example of the modern, New York Broadway theatre, the nature of Broadway?s form of theatrical, musical entertainment. The Playbill is a nostalgic commodity that reduces the show to a singular theme, and attempts to encapsulate within its covers, in as non-threatening a fashion as possible, the nature of a show that has proved disturbing to many viewers."
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Negative Impact of Popular Music and Music Videos, 2003.
Investigates the negative impact of popular music and music videos on youth in the United States today.
3,623 words (approx. 14.5 pages), 10 sources, APA, $ 100.95
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Abstract
The music industry spends enormous amounts of money to create music videos that will make a profit, and the one ingredient they have consistently found that helps sell their products is violence; this violence is usually directed toward women. The AAP notes that there is a paucity of research concerning the impact of such gratuitous violence on children and adolescents. To this end, this paper demonstrates this relationship through a critical review of the literature, followed by a summary of the research and recommendations in the conclusion.
From the Paper
"The definitions concerning what constitutes entertainment and what is protected by the 1st Amendment do not necessarily address the underlying problems of violence in the media and sometimes only serve to merely contribute to the statistical haze that surrounds an already complex situation. The recent appearance of national leaders on MTV attests to the importance and power of music videos in shaping the nation?s conscience. Further, while many non-black observers feel that rap music is just ?so much noise generated by angry black youths,? rap music or simply ?rap,? is in actuality a reflection of the current affairs within the communities in which it is performed. Rap is a ?genre of rhythm-and-blues music that consists of rhythmic vocals declaimed over musical accompaniment. The accompaniment generally consists of electronic drum beats combined with samples (digitally isolated sound bites) from other musical recordings? (Bowman, 2003). From this perspective, rap is an extension of the Black Power movement of the 1960s, and has embodied the essence of the young black culture. The first rap recording was made in 1979 and the genre rose to prominence in the United States in the mid-1980s. Although the term rap is often used interchangeably with hip-hop, the latter term encompasses the subculture that rap music is simply one part of. The term hip-hop derives from one of the earliest phrases used in rap, and can be found on the seminal recording ?Rapper?s Delight? (1979) by Sugarhill Gang. In addition to rap music, the hip-hop subculture also comprises other forms of expression, including dance methodologies, art, vocabulary (in the form of slang) and fashion affectations. Despite these contributions to the popular culture, many observers suggest a connection between the music and personification of violence evinced in music videos and rap as a factor contributing to the incidence of violence by young people in the United State today."
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Roman Theatre, 2006.
This paper discusses Roman theatre and its history.
1,461 words (approx. 5.8 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 48.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses Roman theatre and explains that it was vastly influenced by the Greek theatre although they have many differences. The paper provides an outline of the general history of Roman theatre and discusses how the Roman theatre gives us an insight on the Romans and their culture. The paper relates that it has played an important part in the beginning and evolution of the European theatre.
From the Paper
"The Roman theatre faced some problems in the beginning due to the fact that the audience was distracted by other events. The first performance of Hecyra was a ruin because the audience was distracted by the boxers and the rope dancer. The second performance was again a disaster as people heard of a rumor that a "gladiatorial display was about to take place" (W. Beare, p.165). The stage was a wooden one and some people hold the view that at a time the Romans had created a revolving stage. This is not considered as an authentic historical record of the history of Roman theatre. The actors and their dressing rooms were located behind the stage."
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Italian Renaissance Theatre, 2002.
A discussion of the Commedia Del Arte Theatre and contributions of Italian Renaissance theatre to Western theater.
1,453 words (approx. 5.8 pages), 8 sources, MLA, $ 48.95
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Abstract
This paper is in two parts. The first part discusses the Commedia Del Arte or drama that employs comedy and has a happy ending, which began during the Italian Renaissance. It examines its origins and its popularity as well as its methods of acting. It evaluates its effect on modern comedy such as the concept of slapstick, timing in the repartee and romantic comedy. The second part outlines the other contributions of Italian Renaissance theatre to Western theater such as the introduction of the profession of acting and theatre and set design.
From the Paper
"Commedia Del Arte made many contributions to modern comedy. First, timing was important in the repartee and has been in comedy ever since. Second, slapstick comedy, such as that practiced by Chaplin, Keaton, and Lloyd is a direct descendent of Commedia Del Arte. Third, modern romantic comedy had it origins in the plots and characters of Commedia Del Arte. Finally, both situation comedy and animated cartoons employ elements of Commedia Del Arte (Suzuki; Commedia Dell?Arte)."
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The Manitoba Theatre Centre, 2004.
A study of Canada's first regional theatre and its goal to achieve the establishment of a uniquely Canadian art and culture scene through experimental theatre.
2,392 words (approx. 9.6 pages), 12 sources, APA, $ 73.95
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Abstract
This paper considers the state of theatre in Canada and Winnipeg prior to the creation of the Manitoba Theatre Centre in 1958, looking at the goals of the Massey Commission in promoting the development of a Canadian culture. It also looks at the intentions of Theatre 77 and the Winnipeg Little Theatre in their merger to become the Manitoba Theatre Centre. The main body of the analysis is concerned with the mandate of the Manitoba Theatre Centre. Finally, consideration is also given to an additional fourth goal introduced later in the Centre's history that was concerned with encouraging the production of Canadian plays.
Outline
Introduction
Setting the Scene: The State of Theatre in Canada and Winnipeg and the Establishment of the Manitoba Theatre Centre
Goal A
Goal B
Goal C
Goal D
The Legacy and Prospects for the Centre as it Entered the 1980s
From the Paper
"Canadian theatre, in the 1950s, consisted mostly of amateur societies, with professional theatre only really finding a niche in Toronto. The Massey Commission Report of 1951 was concerned with the state of Canadian culture and its tendency to import art from other cultural centres, such as New York and London. The Massey Commission's Report outlined steps to create a government body that would grant funds to art programmes to promote a national culture. Such a concern had been similarly expressed by other major figures in Canadian theatre, some of whom had suggested that if the state of the theatre were to improve, it would require a national theatre that would tour the country with several permanent provincial theatre buildings to house professional productions (Massey 55). "
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The Evolution of Musical Notation, 2006.
A discussion regarding the evolution of musical notation, focusing specifically on classical versus jazz.
1,045 words (approx. 4.2 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 36.95
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Abstract
A review of the history of musical notation, the way that musical compositions can be passed from one generation of performers to the next generation of performers. According to the paper, musical notation makes musical training both more diverse as well as more practical. This paper discusses the development of classical and jazz musical notation.
From the Paper
"Fake books and jazz notation originated with illegal transcriptions of overheard music, although most fake books today copyrighted with the permission of the artist. The original fake book transcribers were not trained musicians, however, merely persons who had overheard or played a particular song they liked and wished to improvise from the tune's base. The books began with music 'of the people' and were designed for musicians who were not often formally trained themselves, perhaps could not even read music very well, but knew enough to use the notes and skeletal information to create music in the context of a performance. Unlike a large orchestra, the musicians knew one another well, and could communicate with one another musically during a performance, unlike musicians across a large concert hall."
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Guillaume Dufay Music from Medieval and Renaissance Music, 2006.
An examination of Guillaume Dufay's music and its origins.
34 words (approx. 0.1 pages), 6942 sources, MLA, $ 17.95
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Abstract
In this paper the author looks at what Guillaume Dufay's music meant in terms of music history. The author starts with a look at the Gregorian chant from Medieval times which was the main form of sacred music, how it developed and what it gave to modern music. The paper continues with a look at the other forms of music that have developed over the years and contributed to the work of Guillaume Dufay. In particular the author highlights the development of church music in the Renaissance period which, as he points out was the basis for Dufay's music compositions. The author discusses the life and works of Dufay's music as a move towards a clearly defined tonal and functional harmonic structure. The author believes that this helped prepare one of the most important stylistic developments in music of the following century. In conclusion the author reminds us that we are lucky to have the musical pieces that have been curated and restored. A number of Dufay's as well as other composers from that era had masterpieces destroyed because of the political climate.
Outline:
Table of Contents
Introduction
Gregorian Chant
Motet
Troubadour Influence
The Development of Musical Notation
Polyphony
Machaut
Guillaume Dufay a Biography
Dufay's Music
Dufay and Faux-bourdon
Dufay's Motets
Conclusion
From the Paper
"Dufay began composing at a time when musical style was in a period of relative stability and changing that style was not readily accepted. Dufay cannot be thought of as one of the great revolutionaries in Western music; the term 'originality' in the classic sense of the word was not familiar to him. This is not to say, however, that Dufay was in any way lacking of originality or he was in any way reactionary. Quite to the contrary, he played an integral role in the development of faux-bourdon and the cyclic mass. He was one of the first composers to handle four-voice texture with any kind of convincing skill before the end of the 15th century. Furthermore, his attempt to move towards a clearly defined tonal and functional harmonic structure helped prepare one of the most important stylistic developments of the following century. Dufay's works and compositions have come to be known as the supremely polished works of a long period of slow and serene stylistic change."
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African Music's Influence on Pop Music Culture, 2005.
An ethno-musicological study of African music's influence on western society's popular music culture.
675 words (approx. 2.7 pages), 4 sources, $ 26.95
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Abstract
The paper by examines various western artists, such as Paul Simon and David Byrne, and shows how African music plays an important part in how popular music is interwoven within the western musical tradition. The paper concludes that western music in North America has been greatly influenced by the music of South Africa and other traditional musical traditions from the African continent.
From the Paper
"This ethno musicological study will examine the various African music influences that have become imbued within western pop music culture. By examining various western artists, such as Paul Simon and David Byrne, one can realize how African music plays an important part in how pop music is interwoven within the western musical tradition. In essence, western music in North America has been greatly influenced by the music of South Africa and other traditional musical traditions from the African continent."
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Tuning Musical Instruments, 2007.
An overview of the tuning of musical instruments using electronic devices.
1,594 words (approx. 6.4 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 52.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses how electrical engineering helps musicians to identify the precision of musical notes, record their albums, and finally modify what has been recorded. It provides background context about the theory associated with various devices with an emphasis on critical analysis of the current solutions to the problem of having a standard measure for pitch of instruments. It also looks at how currently the "adaptive filter" devices and digital signal processing ("DSP") tuners are the most common and available solutions in the market. The paper includes diagrams and equations where relevant.
Outline:
Introduction
Sounds and Music
The Tuners for Musical Instruments
Latest Developments
Suggestion for Improvement
Conclusion
From the Paper
"A musical note refers to a specific frequency, "A note is a sign used in music to represent the relative duration and pitch of a sound" [1]. Every sound is a wave and as such is characterized by its frequency. However, listening to only one, single frequency is not that enjoyable. The truth is that human ear is more sensitive to a frequency difference rather than a single frequency. Therefore, a musically desirable sound is the one rich in harmonics. "The harmonic of a wave is a component frequency of the signal that is an integer multiple of the fundamental frequency." [2] For example, consider a sound having a fundamental frequency f, its harmonics are then 2 f, 3 f, 4 f, 5 f, 6 f, etc. Another sound with the fundamental frequency 2 f would have 4 f, 6 f, and 8 f etc. as its harmonics. "
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