Don Pasquale, Fidelio, and psychiatry. 1992

J E Heuscher
Stanford University, San Ramon, CA.

Donizetti's Don Pasquale and Beethoven's Fidelio are discussed in order to illustrate how two very different operas can illustrate the human quest for authenticity. Through their music and dramatic presentation they are able to convey experiential insights into profound philosophic and psychologic truths. Along with other experiential communications, such as myths, folklore, poetry, humor, and art, they can be especially helpful--not only but also--in psychotherapy, in providing access to potentials that ordinarily are sealed off, in enhancing the awareness of inauthentic attitudes, in facilitating the acceptance of seemingly paradoxical aspects of human existence, and in providing a deeper sense for life's meaningfulness. Music is invaluable in opening our soul to the story's thoughts, feelings, and commitments.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009146 Music Sound that expresses emotion through rhythm, melody, and harmony. Classical Music,Hip Hop Music,Jazz Music,Rap Music,Rock and Roll Music,Songs,Vocal Melody,Hop Music, Hip,Melodies, Vocal,Melody, Vocal,Music, Classical,Music, Hip Hop,Music, Jazz,Music, Rap,Song,Vocal Melodies
D011573 Psychoanalytic Interpretation Utilization of Freudian theories to explain various psychologic aspects of art, literature, biographical material, etc. Interpretation, Psychoanalytic,Psychoanalytical Interpretation,Interpretation, Psychoanalytical,Interpretations, Psychoanalytic,Interpretations, Psychoanalytical,Psychoanalytic Interpretations,Psychoanalytical Interpretations
D011574 Psychoanalytic Theory Conceptual system developed by Freud and his followers in which unconscious motivations are considered to shape normal and abnormal personality development and behavior. Oral Character,Psychoanalytical Theory,Theory, Psychoanalytic,Character, Oral,Characters, Oral,Oral Characters,Psychoanalytic Theories,Psychoanalytical Theories,Theories, Psychoanalytic,Theories, Psychoanalytical,Theory, Psychoanalytical
D011575 Psychoanalytic Therapy A form of psychiatric treatment, based on Freudian principles, which seeks to eliminate or diminish the undesirable effects of unconscious conflicts by making the patient aware of their existence, origin, and inappropriate expression in current emotions and behavior. Balint Psychoanalytic Therapy,Psychoanalytic Therapy, Balint,Psychoanalytical Therapy,Therapy, Balint Psychoanalytic,Therapy, Psychoanalytic,Psychoanalytic Therapies,Psychoanalytical Therapies,Therapies, Psychoanalytic,Therapies, Psychoanalytical,Therapy, Psychoanalytical
D004324 Drama A composition in prose or verse presenting in dialogue or pantomime a story involving various characters, usually intended to be acted on a stage and to be regarded as a form of entertainment. (From Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed) Dramas
D004532 Ego The conscious portion of the personality structure which serves to mediate between the demands of the primitive instinctual drives, (the id), of internalized parental and social prohibitions or the conscience, (the superego), and of reality. Self,Egos
D005201 Fantasy An imagined sequence of events or mental images, e.g., daydreams. Day Dreams,Daydreams,Day Dream,Daydream,Dream, Day,Dreams, Day,Fantasies
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012924 Social Conditions The state of society as it exists or in flux. While it usually refers to society as a whole in a specified geographical or political region, it is applicable also to restricted strata of a society. Living Conditions,Condition, Living,Condition, Social,Conditions, Living,Conditions, Social,Living Condition,Social Condition

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