Genre synthesis in D. Auber’s opera “La Muette de Portici”

Statement of the problem. Objectives, methods, and novelty of the research. The genre of grand opera is associated with the work by D. Auber. The first work in this genre was the opera ‘La Muette de Portici’, which was produced by D. Auber in collaboration with the librettist in 1828. When creating the libretto, the artists relied on historical events of the Neapolitan rebellion against the Spaniards in 1647 led by the fisherman Mazaniello. For the first time, a mute heroine appeared on the opera stage as the main character, whose image was embodied by a ballet dancer. Thus, D. Auber and E. Scribe combined the genres of opera and ballet in “La muette de Portici”. The opera immediately became popular on the stages of European theaters, nevertheless, the issues of genre synthesis in this work doesn’t have sufficient level of research until today. The purpose of this study is to identify the levels of genre synthesis in the opera ‘La Muette de Portici’ by D. Auber. The systematic approach as a main method to research choral and choreographic components has led to the use of genre, structural-functional and contextual types of analysis. Results and conclusion. The results of the study revealed that the opera score has a wide range of different types of texture and stylistic features. For example, the virtuosic, largerange arias, reminiscent of Italian ones that require mastery of the bel canto technique, contrast with the relatively simple romances. The solo opera numbers are often the part of larger complexes, including ensembles and choirs. The chorus has diverse functional weight, as it embodies Neapolitans, Spaniards, fishermen, people and soldiers. The ballet in D. Auber’s operatic masterpiece reaches a new level, as the composer introduces large choreographic scenes as a means of unfolding the operatic drama focused around the main heroine and political collisions. In D. Auber’s opera, ballet and pantomime are combined with other genres and operatic forms, so there are reasons to define ‘La muette de Portici’ as an opera-ballet. Genre synthesis in D. Auber’s opera takes place not only at the level of the artistic whole performance, but also at the level of the choral component of the opera, an example of which is the combination of a choral song (barcarole) or an extended choral scenes with a ballet.