Sung-through

Definition

Sung-through refers to a style of musical theater or opera in which the entire score is sung without any spoken dialogue interspersed. This approach emphasizes the continuous flow of music, allowing the story to unfold purely through song, creating a seamless narrative experience. This technique often requires close collaboration between composers and librettists to ensure that the music effectively conveys the emotions and storytelling elements throughout the performance.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sung-through musicals eliminate any spoken dialogue, relying entirely on songs to tell the story.
2. This format can enhance emotional engagement, allowing audiences to experience the narrative without interruption.
3. Many modern musicals, like 'Les Misérables' and 'Rent', are examples of sung-through works that have achieved critical acclaim.
4. The success of a sung-through piece often depends on the composer and librettist's ability to craft melodies that express the characters' emotions throughout the narrative.
5. Sung-through formats can be challenging for performers due to the need for vocal stamina and continuous emotional investment over long periods.

Review Questions

• How does the sung-through format influence the collaboration between composers and librettists?
  • The sung-through format requires a close partnership between composers and librettists because every piece of dialogue must be transformed into song. This collaboration involves ensuring that the music not only complements but also enhances the lyrics, making it crucial for both parties to work together seamlessly. The narrative flow becomes vital, as they need to maintain coherence in storytelling while developing musical themes that resonate emotionally with the audience.
• Discuss how sung-through musicals differ from traditional operas regarding musical structure and storytelling.
  • Sung-through musicals typically feature a more contemporary approach compared to traditional operas. While both forms rely heavily on music for storytelling, sung-through works often integrate popular music styles and lyrical storytelling, whereas traditional operas may use more formal structures like arias and recitatives. This difference allows sung-through musicals to present a continuous narrative that can feel more accessible and relatable to modern audiences while still maintaining rich musical content.
• Evaluate the impact of sung-through formats on audience engagement compared to musicals that incorporate spoken dialogue.
  • Sung-through formats significantly enhance audience engagement by creating an immersive experience where emotions and narrative flow are uninterrupted by spoken dialogue. This continuous musical journey allows for deeper emotional connections with characters as their feelings are expressed through song. In contrast, musicals that utilize spoken dialogue may have breaks in emotional intensity, potentially reducing immersion. The sung-through style fosters a unique atmosphere where every moment feels vital to the overall story, encouraging audiences to stay invested from start to finish.

Related terms

Libretto: The text or script of an opera or musical, which includes the lyrics and often the dialogue.

Recitative: A style of delivery in opera where singers deliver lines in a rhythm that mimics speech, often used to advance the plot.

Through-composed: A musical form in which new music is written for each section, as opposed to repeating sections, common in sung-through works.