Research On The Function Of Chorus In The Art Of Opera

The theoretical research by China's musical community on the art of chorus is a weak part in the entire research on the theory of music. There are few papers or monographs on chorus study. There are not many musicians investigating it, either. Moreover, there are fewer research results with certain influence worldwide. We must learn from those countries which are advanced in music education and conduct study on the theory of chorus beginning at the primary and middle schools stages. Maybe it is not practical in Today's China, but at least at the college stage, especially in the ordinary institutions of higher learning which open the music major courses, theoretical study on chorus should be carried out while the chorus knowledge is learnt, which is conducive to the improvement of the comprehensive quality of the students. This paper aims at making such a conclusion that chorus plays a vital important role from such aspects as the timbre expression, interchanges of various singing forms and dramatic feature through analysis on the chorus works in the western operas so as to make the research on the theory of chorus in institutions of higher learning much broader and deeper and meanwhile to provide some referent suggestions for chorus composing of China's operas. The composition of opera chorus is extraordinarily complicated. All aspects in composing the real works can be reflected by a variety of ways and are changing all the time. Additionally, they are integrated and complementary. Through analysis and arrangement on a large number of renowned works, I hope my conclusion will be of certain complementary function to the theoretical teaching, learning and investigation on the course of chorus in institution of higher learning. That is to say, I hope it will broaden the scope of this study. Moreover, speaking of the overall level of China's contemporary music composition, we have achieved a lot on the chorus composition, for a large quantity of excellent chorus works have emerged in this new period. However, we are weak in composing the opera chorus. The major factor'is that we are lack of a comprehensive understanding of chorus' function in operas and many misunderstandings exist. The expressions of emotion are emphasized with relatively monotonous composing technique. We also misunderstand that it plays little role in interpreting the dramatic function. Therefore, I would like very much to make contribution to the composition of China's opera chorus.