Applying the opera to two different songs

1. Sowards 1
Harold Sowards
Mr. Summers
Music in Society 2 pm
17 November 2013
“Cousin Kevin” does apply as an opera. It has a piano accompaniment acting as the
recitative to the solo voice. There is a dramatic action going on consisting of all the things that
the cousin is doing to physically abuse the blind guy. This piece is very dark and is basically a
story of abuse and can be interpreted to represent the way people’s spirits are compared to those
of the less fortunate. I find it weird though that there was no backup instruments playing along
with the piano. I like the soloist singing alone, because then there is no confusion to whom is the
lead and who isn’t. This piece isn’t as exciting as the next piece and almost makes me not want
to watch the rest of it, but since I had to I did.
“Pinball Wizard” applies an opera has well. It is a faster pace than the last piece we had
to listen to. A crowd is involved with the dramatic action of the blind guy playing the pinball
game. It is essentially a story of success and how the blind guy overcomes the blindness to get
the high score in the game. There is a bass, a small piano, a guitar and drums acting as the
recitative to the soloist. This piece along with the last one can technically be an area because
only one person is singing with all of the instruments that are playing.