Changing the Interval

Like any form of Art the key word or concept is communication. The opera composer's main purpose is to convey his thoughts and ideas about his chosen subject. In the case of the written word the author has unlimited latitude to get his ideas across. Other forms of Art must translate the communicative process into a form that takes into account the limits of the chosen medium. Impact and immediacy are paramout considerations in painting, sculpture, dance and music.In our case, opera, the project is compounded because it combines music and text. The task invites the composer to unite an unlimited quantity - words, with music - an amorphous approximation of meaning and intent to create an amalgum of ideas. Simple? No. Possible? Yes. How does the opera composer accomplish his intended goal and what are his tools? Simple answer, many possibilities. Let's explore one of them - the interval or the space between two notes. In Act III of Puccini's opera "La Boheme" we find the poet Rodolfo, telling his friend Marcello the painter that he wishes to separate from Mimi with whom he had fallen in love and is now living. His reason? Mimi flirts with every man she meets who but looks at her. In the selection that begins with: "Mimi e una civetta..." (Mimi's just a flirt...) Puccini wrote an interval of a semi-tone between the two syllables Mi and mi. (https://youtu.be/kHAS7r8Pd0k 1:09:54 - 1:10:03). Supposedly he's explained his rationale to Marcello; but the latter does not accept this excuse. Marcello accuses Rodolfo of not being truthful. Whereupon Rodolfo recants and reveals his true feelings. Puccini begins with a repeat of the "Mimi e una civeta" theme but now the interval is a perfect fourth that is, a leap of four notes instead of a semi-tone ( 1:10:28 - 1:11:35). The effect is thrilling. Rodolfo pours out his pent-up worries and feelings of helplessness in the face of Mimi's deteriorating health. By opening or widening the interval Puccini reveals the force of human feelings that beset this figure. It is a marvelous achievement of illustrating how by simple manipulation of a musical theme the composer is able to describe this heart-rending situation. If we the listening audience focus mainly on the beautiful melodic line or the sensitive interpretation of the singer, we miss a significant and even essential element of the composer's keen observation of the human condition and his genius for describing it in musical terms. Puccini is describing dynamic human behavior using music as his instrument of expression.