MUS 74 — The Magic of Mozart's Operas
Quarter: Summer
Instructor(s): Kip Cranna
Date(s): Jun 24—Aug 5
Class Recording Available: No
Class Meeting Day: Tuesdays
Grade Restriction: No letter grade
Class Meeting Time: 7:00—8:50 pm (PT)
Please Note: No class on July 22
Tuition: $405
Refund Deadline: Jun 26
Unit(s): 1
Enrollment Limit: 60
Status: Open
Quarter: Summer
Day: Tuesdays
Duration: 6 weeks
Time: 7:00—8:50 pm (PT)
Date(s): Jun 24—Aug 5
Unit(s): 1
Tuition: $405
Refund Deadline: Jun 26
Instructor(s): Kip Cranna
Grade Restriction: No letter grade
Enrollment Limit: 60
Recording Available: No
Status: Open
Please Note: No class on July 22
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s operas remain among the most celebrated achievements in music. Composer Ernst Toch once wrote, “If Mozart was possible, then the word ‘impossible’ should be eliminated from our vocabulary.” This course, led by San Francisco Opera’s dramaturg emeritus, dives into the world of Mozart’s operatic masterpieces, exploring how his works capture the essence of human nature with humor, drama, and depth. We will situate each opera within its historical and literary context, tracing Mozart’s evolution from a precocious child prodigy to a master of musical storytelling. Through video and audio demonstrations, students will uncover the artistry behind The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, The Magic Flute, and more. Along the way, we will also discover lesser-known gems like Idomeneo, composed when Mozart was just 24, showcasing his creative range. Designed for all experience levels, this course brings Mozart’s operatic genius to life to captivate students today as it has enchanted audiences for centuries.
No previous opera knowledge is required. All video and audio demonstrations in the course will include English subtitles.
KIP CRANNA
Dramaturg Emeritus, San Francisco Opera
Clifford "Kip" Cranna served on the San Francisco Opera staff for more than 40 years, including over 30 years as director of music administration. In 2008, he received the San Francisco Opera Medal, the company’s highest honor. Cranna received a PhD in musicology from Stanford, focusing on early Italian Baroque music. He writes and lectures frequently on opera in the Bay Area and teaches at the Fromm Institute at the University of San Francisco and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (OLLI) at UC Berkeley, SF State, and Dominican University of California. Textbooks for this course:
There are no required textbooks; however, some fee-based online readings may be assigned.