It Is Good As A Whole

The opera, Willie Stark incorporates an eclectic mix of styles, both musically and theatrically. A question was posed in class about listening to the music alone, and for me, that doesn’t seem like a viable option because the music needs to be in the context of the show. If one aspect of the opera were eliminated, the viewer would experience a void in the performance because the text, music, set and characters are woven together so tightly. These components that make up the opera are dependent upon one another, acting as a unit.

Now for the big question that we discussed in class: Is Willie Stark a musical or an opera? Aforementioned, the opera, which is what Floyd labeled it as, is composed of various elements that all require the utmost attention. I do not believe that one element carries the show more than another. For instance, I would not go out and purchase a recording of Willie Stark to jam to on a Sunday morning during breakfast. The music doesn’t do much for me on that level, however, used in the context of a performance, it enhance it. First and foremost, the acting needs to be extremely strong, and if it is, and the singer/actor is sensitive to the music, then the music is used to set the mood. The music augments the action on stage, just like the music you hear in movies, it adds to the suspense or emotion of a scene. (Like the music during the shower scene in Hitchcock’s movie, Pyscho… it adds to the action.) Yet, if the acting is subpar, than the music might be painful to listen to, even if the singers are superstars!

This brings up another issue: Phenomenal actor with a weaker singing voice or a diva with deadpan expressions? The correct answer is NIETHER! This production must be a challenge to cast because neither the acting nor singing should be compromised; otherwise I foresee a calamity in the future. Willie Stark, the character, is a complex individual; a charismatic and convincing façade that hides his inner torment and tumultuous personal life. The man is plagued with misfortune from his earlier years, and then lives a scandalous life in his later years. He represents the dichotomies of rich and poor, good and bad, genuine and fake. Thanks to his complexity, he is a main reason why neither the acting nor singing can be compromised. In conclusion I can see why someone might question calling Willie Stark and opera. The acting propelled the show, the music subtly described the mood, the set and full cast numbers made it seems like Broadway, and the style of singing coined it as an opera.