The fat lady has sung.
Tuesday marked the beginning of French professor David Wetsel's new class, Opera and Literature.
"This class is unique because it is a hybrid between music and literature," Wetsel said. "We read great texts the operas are based upon, something my colleagues can [say] has never been done anywhere they can think of."
The class covers 10 operas and the literary texts that inspired them. Most of these operas were additionally written in different European languages.
However, instead of simply asking his students to accept translated versions of the literature, Wetsel's class is cross-listed.
Students can take it for French, Italian, foreign language, English or music credit, allowing French and Italian speaking students to study the operas as original texts.
History freshman Drusilla Stobinske and English freshman Lauren Wilson are both taking the class as credit for English 494.
Wilson answered why they registered for the course with a question and a smile.
"Besides our passion for opera?" Wilson said.
Both attended the opera Videofest I on Tuesday, which served as the first class period. There will also be a second videofest on Jan. 23 in COOR 170.
"The videofests are montages of different operas and commentaries on opera," said Shannon Peyton, graduate teaching assistant for the Department of Languages and Literatures.
Peyton worked with Peter Lafford, a language lab director, and language lab computing coordinator David Parks to put together the clips shown.
Stobinske and Wilson were excited about the final product.
"If you love opera, it is kind of addicting," Wilson said. "The more you get, the more you want."
Wilson said her favorite part of Act I of the videofest was the Tribute to Maria Callas. This segment included rare footage that is not commercially available.
Stobinske, on the other hand, enjoyed Maria Callas' performance in "Tosca" by Giacomo Puccini.
"I just want to see more," she said.
Stobinske said she wanted to take the Opera and Literature class because she has seen several operas before, and would like to hear what others have to say about them.
"It's nice to have an expert opinion," she said.
Several guest professors will be lecturing throughout the semester.
The first visiting professor is Italian professor Pier Baldini. He will precede Videofest II with a talk on Opera and Italy.
It is open to guests and auditors in addition to registered students.
"We see this class as a means of outreach to the community and emeriti professors," Wetsel said.
The class meets Tuesdays from 6:40 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in COOR 170.
Reach the reporter at: stephanie.naufel@asu.edu.
