Re: rock opera

["L. Bird" <pkeets@hotmail.com>]

>I was going to argue that a "rock opera" has to begin with a "rock album" 
>but wouldn't that exclude HAIR & JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR?  Those began life 
>as musical/plays, correct?

Right.  Basically Andrew Lloyd Webber picked up the idea and ran with it for 
Broadway productions.  These two shows were quite controversial at the time, 
which qualifies them for the "rock opera" title.


>So what is a "rock opera?"  Is it any piece of music, play soundtrack or 
>otherwise, that has a storyline & common themes?  And speaking of HAIR & 
>JCS, which version is the "rock opera?" - the plays themselves, or the 
>musical releases that accompany them?

Hmmm.  Splitting Hairs here?

Uh, lessee.  "Opera" is plural of "opus" which is a generic work of art.  
Artists and composers who lack inspiration for titles often number their 
works as Opus #1, #2, #3, etc.  So "opera" indicates it's an artistic 
effort, right?  Rather than just pop slock.

Besides that, the word has come to represent a style of traditional, 
dramatic musical on a big stage with lush costumes where mostly fat people 
sing in Italian.  "Rock opera" is based on this model, of course, but The 
Who's version, at least, dispensed with the lush costumes and Italian arias. 
  As usual with Pete's productions, the first rock opera were completely 
serious and totally poked fun at the traditional model.  It did get them 
into opera houses, however.

I'd say the rock opera is the production, as The Who invented it and they're 
mostly a live band.  For the QUAD tour they brought back some costumes and 
fat people (Gary Glitter), but not any Italian.

:)
keets