Unraveling the musical tapestry of Tazul Tajuddin’s Opera Puteri Saadong through Freytag’s pyramid
List of Authors
  • Mohd Adam Masumi , Tazul Izan Tajuddin

Keyword
  • Opera, Music Analysis, New Music, Malaysian Music, Dramatic Effects

Abstract
  • In the heart of Kanazawa, Japan, on May 3, 2016, the Kanazawa Opera House was the stage for an operatic spectacle that transcended cultural boundaries and took the audience on a profound emotional odyssey. Tazul Tajuddin's “Opera Puteri Saadong” skillfully weaved together Malaysian and Western influences, creating a musical narrative that resonated with both heartache and desire. This article delves into the performance of the “Opera Puteri Saadong”, focusing specifically on its musical elements within the perspective of Freytag’s five-act structure. Through an exploration of the opera's music, including its emotional depth, character development, dramatic tension, cultural influences, and vocal performance, this analysis seeks to uncover how the music enhances the storytelling and conveys the central themes of the narrative in each act. Outlining a moment of tragedy for the main character, Freytag’s pyramid was determined as the analytical approach to analyse the opera performance due to its emphasis on tragic narrative, which is applicable to the dramatic arc of the legendary story of Puteri Saadong. By examining a range of musical techniques and dramatic effects demonstrated throughout the opera, this paper also intends to provide insight into the significance of incorporating materials of Malaysian folk music and contemporary Western art music in bringing the tale of Puteri Saadong to life on the operatic stage. From the tender intimacy of a love scene to the epic grandeur of a battle sequence, this intercultural music enhances the overall impact of the opera, conveying its central themes of love, betrayal, resilience, and transformation with depth and resonance, engaging the audience with its unique blend of Malaysian and Western cultural impact.

Reference
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