Authors' Affiliations

Savannah Bennett, Department of Appalachian Studies, College of Arts and Sciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN.

Location

Culp Center Rm. 311

Start Date

4-25-2023 11:00 AM

End Date

4-25-2023 11:20 AM

Faculty Sponsor’s Department

Appalachian Studies

Name of Project's Faculty Sponsor

Jane MacMorran

Classification of First Author

Recent Graduate

Competition Type

Competitive

Type

Oral Presentation

Project's Category

Arts and Culture

Abstract or Artist's Statement

This research applies qualitative literary analysis and ethnographic methods to examine the portrayal of Appalachia in the operas Susannah and Cold Mountain. The operas were premiered 60 years apart, yet they share many themes that epitomize roles, patterns, and stereotypes within the Appalachian region. One theme observed is the expectations of Appalachian women and how they have developed over time, as the plots are placed roughly a century apart. The depictions of Appalachian religious traditions and representations of violence are explored as these themes also play considerable roles in Susannah and Cold Mountain. By analyzing the representation of Appalachia in these operas, this study places the significance of opera among other forms of media that are evaluated in the field of Appalachian Studies.

Share

COinS
 
Apr 25th, 11:00 AM Apr 25th, 11:20 AM

Susannah and Cold Mountain: Examining the Portrayal of Appalachian Culture in Opera

Culp Center Rm. 311

This research applies qualitative literary analysis and ethnographic methods to examine the portrayal of Appalachia in the operas Susannah and Cold Mountain. The operas were premiered 60 years apart, yet they share many themes that epitomize roles, patterns, and stereotypes within the Appalachian region. One theme observed is the expectations of Appalachian women and how they have developed over time, as the plots are placed roughly a century apart. The depictions of Appalachian religious traditions and representations of violence are explored as these themes also play considerable roles in Susannah and Cold Mountain. By analyzing the representation of Appalachia in these operas, this study places the significance of opera among other forms of media that are evaluated in the field of Appalachian Studies.