Whimsical Woodwinds and Boisterous Brass Woodwinds and Brass    

Lesson 35: Brass Ensemble - Overture to the Marriage of Figaro, K. 492

by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Performer: United States Army Band

Directions

Study the musical selection for one week.

Over the week:

• Listen to the music daily.
• Recite the composer and composition names.
• Read the synopsis.
• Review the vocabulary terms.
• Read about the instrument or topic category.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Study the review questions.

Synopsis

This lesson introduces the brass ensemble, a group of brass musicians who perform together. The musical composition for this lesson, 'Overture to the Marriage of Figaro, K. 492,' by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, features a brass ensemble playing the overture to the opera, 'The Marriage of Figaro.'

Vocabulary

Ensemble: A group of musicians, actors, or dancers who perform together.
Overture: An orchestral piece at the beginning of an opera, suite, play, oratorio, or other extended composition.
Opera: A dramatic work in which one or more acts are set to music for singers and instrumentalists.

Category

1. An opera is a dramatic work often consisting of singing set to music.
2. 'The Marriage of Figaro' is a famous opera revolving around the struggles of Figaro and his betrothed, Susanna, to marry on their wedding day, despite the machinations of others, including a powerful Count.
3. This musical selection is the overture to 'The Marriage of Figaro.' An overture is the opening music to an opera or other performance.
4. Just as books may be split into chapters, operas are often split into multiple parts, called acts.
5. For example, the watercolor, 'Act 1: Cherubino Hides Behind Susanna's Chair as the Count Arrives,' by an anonymous artist, shows an event within the first act of 'The Marriage of Figaro.'

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

Study the lesson image above, 'Act 1: Cherubino Hides Behind Susanna's Chair as the Count Arrives,' by an anonymous artist, and find the following:

• Cherubino
• Susanna
• The Count
• Someone Hiding
• Someone Bowing

Activity 2: Watch 'The Marriage of Figaro'

Warning: This is an externally controlled YouTube video, not posted by Under the Home, but included as an example. If the link is broken, please report to contact@underthehome.org.

Listen to the overture and watch as much of 'The Marriage of Figaro' as you wish.

Review

Question 1

What is the difference between a solo and an ensemble?

1 / 3

Answer 1

A solo is a single singer or musician singing or playing alone, while an ensemble group of musicians, actors, or dancers who perform together.

1 / 3

Question 2

How is the opera different from an orchestra?

2 / 3

Answer 2

An opera typically includes an orchestra, but also includes singing, drama, sets, and props.

2 / 3

Question 3

If a book is divided into chapters, into what is an opera divided?

3 / 3

Answer 3

An opera is divided into acts.

3 / 3

❮ ❯

1. What is the difference between a solo and an ensemble? A solo is a single singer or musician singing or playing alone, while an ensemble group of musicians, actors, or dancers who perform together.
2. How is the opera different from an orchestra? An opera typically includes an orchestra, but also includes singing, drama, sets, and props.
3. If a book is divided into chapters, into what is an opera divided? An opera is divided into acts.

References

'The Marriage of Figaro.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.