-Origins of opera

-Classical opera and the origin of musical theater

-Origin of musical theater (ballad opera)

-Romantic opera and the rise of minstrelsy, burlesque, vaudeville 

-Verismo, modern opera, and musical theater before WW2 (c.1900-c.1940)

-Post modern opera and musical theater since WW2

Readings

-Atkins Madeline, Smith. The Beggars’ Children: How John Gray Changed the Course of England’s Musicls theatre. 

-Wollman, Elizabeth L.A Critical Companion to the America Stage Musical. Bloomsbury 2017 (Ch1 – 7)