VALLEY COLLEGE : ‘Opera as Literature’ Class Debuts

A class focusing on opera as literature is being taught by English professor William G. Wallis for the first time at Valley College in Van Nuys.

English 253, “Opera as Literature,” gives “a balanced view of the complexity of elements in the greatest art form,” said Wallis, who created the class.

Wallis, who also wrote the textbook used in the course, said his motivation was his love for the art form. “I really love opera . . . sharing it is joy.”

About 30 students ages 18 to 78 are enrolled in Wallis’ class.

“Opera is beautiful and it is for everyone,” Wallis said. “Studying opera is a way to get in touch with everything that is positive and beautiful in Western civilization.”

Wallis said he uses operas such as Puccini’s “La Boheme,” Verdi’s “La Traviata” and Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” as tools “to explore the opera’s literary content by examining the relationships between the literary forms from which opera has grown. . . .”

Along with examining literary connections to opera, students also learn to consider opera as drama, music and visual art.

“It’s the best of all worlds,” Wallis said. “Opera is the only form that involves all of these elements and converts them into ecstatic beauty.”

Student response to the class has been enthusiastic, Wallis said. “The students are wonderful, bright and they enjoy the music . . . we have good discussions.”