Reflection Upon American Idiot

The rest of the week was spent focusing on Green Day's American Idiot: The Musical. This has been one of the best conversation pieces of the semester. I found myself very much drawn to the idea of the work, and have enjoyed the discussions the class have conducted.

One point that came up yet again, as it has many times this semester, was the question of what actually qualifies today as 'opera'. I remain convinced that opera is best described as a dramatic work in which the drama is primarily driven by the music. To this extent, American Idiot qualifies, as it is nearly entirely through-composed. Also, the fact that it existed first as an album which was expanded into a dramatic work helps with this argument. The musical numbers of the album were the central focus of the development of this show, and thus of course drive the drama of that very show.

Another interesting point brought up in the consideration of labeling American Idiot was the importance of clarification between ROCK OPERA and OPERA. It was basically agreed that as a rock opera, there is an easy connection between American Idiot and the earliest works such as Tommy and Jesus Christ Superstar. The same consensus was not reached about it's qualification as an opera.

The most interesting and unique discussion came up when we were asked about whether a role in a show such as American Idiot should go onto our professional resumes. The general consensus was that it was safe to have it on the general resume if a career is already established, but for young singers such as us, it may be dangerous to audition at traditional big opera houses with such a show on the resume. My personal hope is that it will not be too long before such questions are not as worrisome; that the casting powers in the general realm of opera will begin to recognize the common situations of cross-over required by today's singer. While I know I cannot necessarily sing rock such as that found in American Idiot, I have been hired over the past few years doing more traditional musical theater works that still fall outside the realm of opera. I hope that one day, the full array of a singer's experience can be brought to the table no matter where or for what they are auditioning.