Compositional Structure of Arthur Honegger's Antigone as the Foundation of the Artistic Integrity of the Opera
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31318/0130-5298.2024.50.349620Keywords:
musical theatre by Arthur Honegger, opera Antigone, ancient tragedy, Jean Cocteau, artistic integrityAbstract
Relevance of the study. Arthur Honegger's opera Antigone is a relevant and essential work both for the composer's oeuvre and for early twentieth-century musical theatre as a whole. The multilayered compositional structure of the opera and its symphonic organization correspond to the contemporary search for new forms in music and theatre. Antigone demonstrates the possibilities of integrating traditions with the latest approaches to music drama, making it important not only for musicology but also for the development of contemporary theatre.
The scientific novelty is in the analysis of the structure of the opera Antigone with a special emphasis on the study of its multilevel form, the role of the chorus as an active participant in the action and the leitmotif system that forms the dramatic integrity of the work. This issue is presented for the first time in the Ukrainian-language academic space.
Main Objective(s) of the Study is to analyze the multilayered form of Arthur Honegger’s opera Antigone, focusing on how its intricate structure contributes to the artistic unity of the work.
Methodology. The research employs several methods, including genre-genetic analysis, historical and comparative approaches, and holistic analysis for studying the structure of the opera. The study also delves into the evolution of the leitmotif system, exploring how Honegger uses complex musical motifs to provide narrative continuity.
Results of the study. The compositional structure of Arthur Honegger's Antigone is an example of an expressive and multifaceted form that serves as a cornerstone for the creation of a single musical composition. Its complex internal architecture creates a solid foundation that enables a deep interaction between the musical structure and its thematic and philosophical layers.
An important element of the opera is its close connection with ancient Greek tragedy. While maintaining the key role of the chorus in the opera's structure, Honegger not only adheres to the traditional forms clearly defined in the score, but also introduces a more subtle compositional layer that resonates with the essence of classical Greek theatrical conventions.
The defining characteristic of the opera is its symphonic development, which ensures the integrity and continuity of the musical narrative. This integrity is achieved primarily through the use of a complex system of leitmotifs, which performs an integral function by combining numerous multifaceted layers of the opera's compositional structure. However, the presented structure embodies not only constructive composer's ideas, but also reflects Honegger's philosophical search for rethinking the categories of time, action and music within a musical and theatrical work.
The obtained results underline the significance of the opera Antigone for the cultural world, as the presented work reveals a new stage in the evolution of the opera form and its role in the embodiment of contemporary philosophical ideas.
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