Word: buffa
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Dates: during 1950-1959
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...Secret is a masterpiece of its genre, which looks back to the charming 18th-century tradition of Goldoni and opera buffa. Although it is Wolf-Ferrari's most famous work, usually only the overture is done; so it is a welcome treat to have the whole work in a generally bright performance...
...historically authentic touch. There are many other instances of inspired staging. And at the end, instead of having everyone exit and leave Feste alone to sing the closing song, Berghof brings everybody on stage, even Malvolio, and has each principal sing a solo bit as in a massed opera buffa finale...
...students stoop over so their brains can look for profundities while their arses master star-gazing. The playwright achieved a special mixture of satire, criticism, obscenity, invective, wit, fantasy, and lyricism-all within a set of conventions as rigid and complex as those of the 18th-century opera buffa...
Anyone who would like to hear an absolutely brilliant opera buffa has a golden opportunity this weekend. For their annual operatic production, the Lowell House Music Society is fortunate to present the premiere of Divertimento by John Perkins '58. Mr. Perkins has succeeded in turning out a work which should take its place among the very best comic operas...
...approaching a form, which is extremely difficult to handle well, the composer has added to his problem by choosing to satirize the very form of opera buffa itself. The result is a complete triumph. Using his modest orchestra with facility and great wit, and demonstrating a sensitive awareness of the comic possibilities of vocal writing, Mr. Perkins has composed a score which is fully as funny as the satiric libretto by Wayne Shirley...