Opera

Jordan Price

Professor Roundtree

Art and Technology

9/25/18

Prince Igor

In Opera “mise en scene” refers not specifically to the background but also the characters, the atmosphere, the lighting, and everything used to create the environment and The mise en scene of this opera consisted of several silent characters, main characters, painted backdrops and a large stage. As the mood, time of day, and setting changed throughout the opera the lighting changes as well, it creates very sudden and deep emotions that compliment the orchestra as well. The large painted backgrounds and elaborate homes of the various characters are not only worthwhile to look at but add large amounts of atmosphere to the set.

Prince Igor did not travel well abroad due to being in the Russian language although this was fixed by translation into Italian, a more popular and widespread language for opera. Another reason was due to it being incomplete due to deaths and responsibilities being shifted amongst the creators. I however believe that Prince Igor shows the triumph of those who do not lose their confidence and stand strong even in danger. Having an opera that is in your countries own language that tells the story of a Prince from the years 1151-1202.

In Prince Igor, Igor Syvatoslavich sets out on a campaign despite a solar eclipse that is seen as a bad premonition. After leaving on the campaign Igor’s second wife by marriage Yaroslavna begins to worry, she hasn’t heard from Igor or any of his allies. She calls for someone to find them and make sure they are safe but is argued against by her brother. He says that nearby people are revolting, and he should be named ruler, however the boyars refuse it. Igor’s son falls in love with the daughter of his enemy and Igor is finally able to escape the grasps of the Polovtsy and return home. Upon returning home Igor is greeted by his people in a glorious celebration.

The story told is one of Prince Igor, a prince with an impressive military career. He ruled multiple parts of Russia and was a powerful ruler. He created an empire and suffered only one defeat during his life. People’s reactions to the Opera Prince Igor during its premier in 1890 would have varied from country to country. Within Russia itself the people likely felt a deep connection as many operas were in Italian and French, the importance of this not only in Russian art history but also in the history of opera itself is showing how an opera can be less spread at the time of its release because of its language, composers, and the mise en scene. During this time technology was making great advances.

            Creating opera during early 1900 was a great opportunity to take advantage of the new technology. This technology did not always include things like moving stages, objects, or props but also included things that made access to opera more accessible to people. Although the version of Prince Igor I watched did not contain any stage related technology advancements it may have had technologies to help carry the voices of the opera singers. Although the technologies used during Prince Igor may not have been the same as technologies used during the 21^st century there are many questions as to how a director in todays world could use the story of the opera Prince Igor.

            As a 21^st century director creating a video game out of the opera Prince Igor I would create a Tell-Tale game. These games follow stories and allow for decisions to create interesting dialog and lead you down paths that could either be beneficial towards you and those who rely on your character or lead you to a much worse fate. This would create additions to the opera and create the possibility of a bad ending of sorts. Having the possibility of multiple endings would change from being specifically one opera, it could create a multitude of stories.

            Throughout the history of opera there have been a large amount of technologies that have been developed. Many different technologies were developed specifically for opera. Prince Igor in specific while being unabundant in new technology was a Russian opera that told a historical story. The use of the story of history of Russia created not only an interesting opera but also provides what could be transformed into an exciting game in the 21^st century.