Alternative Names: zong-opera ("Зонг-опера" in Russian)
Genres: Classical, Rock, Stage & Screen
Description:
A rock opera is a work of rock music that presents a storyline told over multiple parts, songs or sections in the manner of opera. A rock opera differs from a conventional rock album, which usually includes songs that are not unified by a common theme or narrative. More recent developments include metal opera, punk rock opera, and rap opera (sometimes also called hip-hopera). In Russia, rock opera may be known as zong-opera (Зонг-опера).
A rock opera tells a coherent story, and may involve songs performed as if sung by separate characters in a drama, as in classical opera. A rock opera may or may not be presented in a staged performance. In recorded form it can be similar to a concept album (of which it is a subset), though the latter may simply set a mood or maintain a theme.
Isn't it a bit too all over the place? Do you mean to say that all the sub-styles you examplify with should fall under the Rock Opera style? Albums like Mekanïk Destruktïẁ Kommandöh (Progressive Rock) don't exactly fit in the same category.
Personally, I think that Rock Opera is not as much a style as it is a concept. As such it could be written about in the notes on the master release.
GustafAronsson
Personally, I think that Rock Opera is not as much a style as it is a concept. As such it could be written about in the notes on the master release.
Yes - not sure the mighty Quadrophenia has a vast amount in common with the heinous works of Andrew Lloyd Webber stylistically and yet both could be described a rock opera.
Opdiner
Yes - not sure the mighty Quadrophenia has a vast amount in common with the heinous works of Andrew Lloyd Webber stylistically and yet both could be described a rock opera.
I've alwas liked Jesus Christ Superstar – both the album and the movie soundtrack. Not so sure about the rest of Webber's stuff though. But of course Quad is in a league of its own among rock operas (and albums in general for that matter).
Also, I forgot to meantion in my previous comment that I think Webber's albums already fit neatly in the Musical style, which could be used in conjunction with appropriate genre. For example JCS would be Musical and Rock (though preferably not the detestable style Classic Rock, but that's just my personal gripe).
Opdiner
Yes - not sure the mighty Quadrophenia has a vast amount in common with the heinous works of Andrew Lloyd Webber stylistically and yet both could be described a rock opera.
One could say exactly the same thing about traditional opera. Do operas by Monteverdi have much stylistic commonality with Bartok's "Bluebeard's Castle" or Strauss' "Salome"? And yet we continue to use the style for all types of opera.
