Sabrina Franklin
Eng. 4 Essay 1
Outline 1/30/11
I. Introduction : The history of Opera and how it relates to other cultural music forms of Negro spirituals, and Jazz.
A. Hook: Music is a form of story telling and is universal. Is it possible that the songs of Negro spirituals, Jazz, and Opera shares like qualities?
B. Thesis: Define What makes an Opera an Opera. Illustrate by using defined elements
of the former two other styles. Is there a strong likely hood that these forms of music
are similar in style, form, and types of messages brought forth for the listener?
Describe how Opera as a form has crossed over to other genres.
II. Body
A. Definition of Opera: It is a drama set to music with an orchestra
B. History: Form began in Italy, first Opera dated 1560, list additional time line of works
C. Uniqueness: Different from a musical in that a musical uses spoken dialogue and an
Opera uses dialogue that is sung throughout the production.
D. Overlap: Negro spiritual historical frame work, The Call and Meter. Jazz and it’s use of
an orchestra to describe a story.
E. Counter Argue: That because the styles of negro spiritual, as well as jazz are not set
with a back drop of a drama the styles are not closely related to an Opera.
F. Rebuttal to the C/A: By further supporting the thesis using illustrations of shows/
Movies/plays i.e. Glee, Carmen Jones, Porgy and Bess, and Grease.
III. Conclusion
A. As music depicts elements of life, the stylistic approach of an Opera can be found in
other forms of music as well.
B. Spirituals and Jazz depict cultural status, events in the past or in the making. Operas
are similar to this.
