CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND REVOLUTION: USE OF LEITMOTIF IN THE FIRST ACTS OF LES MISÉRABLES AND HAMILTON: AN AMERICAN MUSICAL

Author

Mary Katherine Pezzillo, Stephen F Austin State UniversityFollow

Date of Award

12-2023

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Music

Department

School of Music

First Advisor

Dr. Samantha Inman

Second Advisor

Dr. Stephen Lias

Third Advisor

Dr. Inga Meier

Fourth Advisor

Dr. Benjamin Morris

Abstract

Leitmotif, a recurring musical theme that represents a character, idea, or situation, is a device used in operas, film scores, and musical theater. Accredited to Richard Wagner, leitmotifs enhance storytelling and provide a sense of cohesion to a production. The popular musicals Les Misérables and Hamilton bear many similarities, including the use of leitmotif as a storytelling device. This thesis explores how the two musicals use leitmotif differently, through the lens of the protagonists, antagonists, and supporting characters. Though the leitmotifs in Les Misérables generally represent ideas and the leitmotifs in Hamilton are mostly character-based, this tool aids the overall narrative in both shows.

Repository Citation

Pezzillo, Mary Katherine, "CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND REVOLUTION: USE OF LEITMOTIF IN THE FIRST ACTS OF LES MISÉRABLES AND HAMILTON: AN AMERICAN MUSICAL" (2023). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 522.
https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/522

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.