Silent Night is an iconic opera composed by Kevin Puts with a libretto by Mark Campbell, which premiered in 2011 in Minnesota. The story is based on the real-life events of the Christmas Truce of 1914, where soldiers from opposing sides took a break from the ongoing World War I to celebrate Christmas together.
The Silent Night opera can be categorized as a contemporary classical opera. In terms of genres, there are several sub-genres within classical music, such as Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern. Considering the timeline, Silent Night falls under the Modern period or post-Romantic era, which dates from roughly the late 19th century to the mid-20th century.
One notable feature of the Silent Night opera that relates to classical opera is the use of an orchestra to accompany the singers. Unlike other types of musical performances, operas incorporate elaborate costumes, stage design, and lighting to enhance the production's visual aspects. Similarly, Silent Night has spectacular sets, including hand-drawn illustrations by Erhard Rom, which give it a unique and authentic look.
Classical operas often consist of solo performances backed by a choir. In the case of Silent Night, the sound is different as the composer uses a chamber ensemble instead of a traditional orchestra. The instrumentation includes strings, woodwinds, percussion, and a keyboard, creating a harmonious and intimate atmosphere.
Most classical operas follow a specific structure with recitatives, arias, ensembles, and finales. Though the narrative in Silent Night may be more linear than most classical operas, the piece still includes these structural elements. As seen in other Classical operas, the recitative is used to move the plot forward and convey information, whereas the arias showcase the character's emotions and thoughts.
In conclusion, it's clear that Silent Night is a modern classical opera that incorporates many of the key elements of operatic composition. From the use of orchestral accompaniment to its structure and use of song, it shares several similarities with more traditional types of opera. The Silent Night opera is a beautiful piece that honors a powerful story of peace during conflict, which will continue to capture audiences' hearts worldwide.