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Q: Plays & Operas with happy endings ( No Answer,   2 Comments )
Question  
Subject: Plays & Operas with happy endings
Category: Arts and Entertainment > Performing Arts
Asked by: beth1983-ga
List Price: $20.00
Posted: 16 Nov 2003 20:11 PST
Expires: 17 Nov 2003 09:27 PST
Question ID: 276618
Many plays and operas, such as Don Giovanni, The ThreePenny Opera, and
Twelfth Night end with a typical "happy ending".  In theatre, what
does a typical "happy ending" consist of and how does it relate to the
commedia dell'arte?
Answer  
There is no answer at this time.

Comments  
Subject: Re: Plays & Operas with happy endings
From: pinkfreud-ga on 16 Nov 2003 21:00 PST
 
I would never describe the ending of "Don Giovanni" as a "typical happy ending." 

"Don Giovanni" ends with the titular character being dragged into the
fires of hell. It's hard for me to see that as either typical or
happy.
Subject: Re: Plays & Operas with happy endings
From: angy-ga on 16 Nov 2003 23:10 PST
 
Pink Freud's quite right - even the "good" characters who are left at
the end of "Don Giovanni" do not experience a typical happy ending -
Don Ottavio is told by Donna Anna that he must wait at least a year
before she will even consider marrying him, and there's no happy
solution for Donna elvira.

Likewise Brecht/Weill's "The Threepenny Opera" - like the original
version - Rich/Gay's "Beggars' Opera" - has a highly satirical and
ironical ending.

Typical happy endings are perhaps best found in operas such as "The
Elixir of Love" or "The Barber of Seville".

How that relates to a very stylised form of Italian street theatre, I
have no idea. Are you confusing Commedia del'Arte with the later
Harlequinade which tended to be more sentimental ?

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