What is the best way for me to learn to write Opera/Oratorio librettos?

Question

I don't want/need to obtain a MFA in creative writing for this endeavor. How could I get contemporary composers to set my librettos? (This 2nd Q S/B a separate Yahoo Q&A Q.).

Serious answers please.

Answer 1

First of all, study opera librettos. Study them in the context with music and then study them as independent pieces of writing (literature) and then figure out how the 2 work together. What music requires in terms of repetition and symmetry? How vowels sound in various vocal ranges and consonants too however..for it to work with music does a thought need to expand or contract? Then of course you have to find a subject matter. You've got to write an original script or are you going to adapt? You have to notice that almost all the great operas are adapted from mythology, free standing literary works so on and so forth..
Next, you should read anything you can about Wagner and the extraordinary punchiness of his librettos set against the even more extraordinary expansion in the music. You should read about Mozart and Da Ponte and best of all you should read the extraordinarily detailed coorespondence between Strauss and Hofmannstahl as they problem solve. There is also an academic
called Ulrich Weisstein who has written about opera libretto as a literary study in its own right. What a composer does they figure out what they want to write and opera about and they find a sympathetic poet or writer to write a libretto for them unless they are Wagner themselves. In the Baroque there was a chappy named Metastasio who churned out opera librettos on mythological subjects that anybody could set, same libretto different composers. Nice little career niche. Good luck and do your homework.

Answer 2

I don't think Chick007's reply is sarcastic, it's right. Studying music, music theory and other opera librettos is a great way.
A wonderful opera can be inspiring and a bad one can give you the courage to say "I could THAT!"
There is no reason why your libretto could not be in English though. Modern operas are successfully written all the time.
WR Garrity
Playwright/ Lyricist

Answer 3

Study music theory and get really good at that, then learn a language that operas are mostly written in like Italian, French, etc. because those make the most beautiful operas and the most famous ones.

I'm not trying to sound sarcastic if that's the way you see my answer, I've actually put some thought into this question.

Answer 4

You might want to consider contacting some modern librettists for their advice--I'm sure some of them would be happy to respond. Try Christopher Hampton, who did the lib. for Glass' new opera WAITING FOR THE BARBARIANS. William Hoffman wrote the lib. for Corigliano's GHOSTS OF VERSAILLES, and Alice Hoffman did Adams' DEATH OF KLINGHOFFER. I think nowadays we're seeing more playwrights and novelists involved in writing librettos, and I don't think you'd need an MFA anyway to get moving.

To find the contact information for the folks above, you can either google their names or check your local library for CONTEMPORARY AUTHORS, the book series.

Answer 5

I would suggest taking a creative writing class, particularly in poetry and/ or play writing. You wouldn't need a degree but the classes will help.