By Eleanor O’Hagan
Columnist
We’re trying something new, folks! This is my third semester working with the Troubadour, so I thought why not try something new!
That is the inspiration for this column: to encourage others to try something new in the spectrum of arts and culture.
I just spent a semester in Austria where we were all exposed to rich and brilliant forms of art, architecture and culture.
Sadly, in our current society and especially in the American culture, I think we often skirt away from more elevated artistic and cultural ideas. This is partially because we are a younger country and have less history than European countries.
I understand that as being a reason some aren’t familiar or comfortable with such things as operas, good art and such. However, one excuse I keep hearing that absolutely drives me nuts is that these things are reserved for the rich and famous.
My dear fellow, if you believe this, you are so, so, so wrong!
Maybe historically the rich were patrons to the artists, but the composer Mozart’s operas were vulgar and for the masses. Beethoven was considered too rousing for dignified individuals.
Have you ever heard of “groundlings”? They were the people at Shakespeare’s plays who literally threw stuff at the actors while being seated on the ground in an open, muddy theatre.
And yet today everyone thinks that good plays, literature, classical music and just good, elevated art are only for rich people.
Well, speaking from experience of being a poor artist with a rich patron, most times wealthy individuals don’t even know the first thing about the art form and are only supporting you to flex their money.
I spent three years singing for rich people who didn’t know the language I was singing in, the artistic genius that went into these works or the musicality. Most couldn’t even read music.
The majority of people who came to performances and actually understood and enjoyed the works we put on were just your regular Joe – rarely a rich person using their money to influence an art form they didn’t even understand.
So now that we have determined that good art is not only for a certain class or person and that we have just been bullied into believing this, allow me to introduce “Bite-sized Arts and Culture”.
The purpose of this column is twofold. First, I understand how getting to know things such as opera, symphonies and art forms you aren’t familiar with may be a bit daunting.
So this is a safe space for you to read up about certain works and art culture that can help you become more comfortable with exploring the arts.
Secondly, this column will help you to learn more about being involved in the fine and performing arts, maybe even including some opportunities on campus to become involved.
For example, the Good Friday choir will be starting this Saturday! Practice is open to anyone who wants to give it a go and will start at 9:30 a.m. in the St. Joesph center.
Good Friday choir is – you guessed it – a special choir of students for the Good Friday service on campus. This includes singing parts of the Gospel, an old tradition in the Catholic church.
You would also have a chance to sing acapella! This is because traditionally instruments are not used after the “Gloria” is sung on Holy Thursday until the “Gloria” at the Easter vigil.
If you’re feeling brave, then come on by to the first practice and try it out!
On a final note, I just want to encourage you all to really immerse yourself in the world of art. The whole shebang – opera, symphonies, different classical forms of dance, painting, sculpture, architecture, poetry and so much more!
It’s such a rich world, and I would hate for anyone to miss out on it.