Thesis explores the phenomenon of exoticism in Puccini’s operas, focusing on the use of cultural and musical elements that create a sense of foreign, distant, and mysterious atmosphere. Exoticism denotes a stylistic orientation in which music is created under the influence of various non-European cultures. The study examines three key Puccini operas – Madame Butterfly, Turandot, and La Fanciulla del West – in which Puccini employs various orchestral, harmonic, and melodic techniques to create exotic settings. In Madame Butterfly, exoticism is primarily present through the use of Japanese music, where Puccini incorporates pentatonic scales, special orchestration with instruments like the harp and flute, and specific orchestral effects that mimic traditional Japanese instruments. In Turandot, exoticism is captured in the colors and sounds of Chinese music, where Puccini stylizes traditional Chinese melodies and uses harmonic structures that evoke an oriental atmosphere. In La Fanciulla del West, Puccini creates exoticism through musical elements of the American Wild West, using modal scales, chromaticism, and orchestration that's painting a vivid picture of the wild and dangerous American frontier. Exoticism in Puccini’s operas is not merely geographically defined but manifests in the sound and texture that offer audiences a glimpse into foreign and mysterious cultures, whether Japanese, Chinese, or American. Puccini successfully blends Western harmonic structures with elements that are unfamiliar to Western audiences, adding a distinctive charm and depth to the experience of these operas.
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