Music Magic: The Scores That Breathe Life Into Telenovelas
It’s impossible to talk about production in Maria La Del Barrio without mentioning the music that compliments its plot at every turn. Starting with the opening theme, Maria’s class difference and feminist attitudes are reflected as she is featured expressing that it is a great honor to be Maria La Del Barrio. She is depicted in the music video through her journey of rags to riches, while still maintaining her upbeat attitude and strong sense of self. The people from her home town are also shown throughout the opening theme, again highlighting Maria’s origin story, even after she is transformed in the video into the Cinderella beauty. The song is also used throughout the entire episode, implemented whenever a scene cuts to commercials or ends in a cliffhanger, as well as at the end of each episode. I found this especially effective in the episodes after Maria had her transformation, because 50 episodes in, it can be hard to remember what Maria even used to sound, look, or act like before her transformation. The stark cut to the theme paints a crude contrast of the Maria from then and now, reminding the audience that she is not just another high class girl like those around her, but that she is in fact Cinderella and in fact still the same, old Maria La Del Barrio. The opening theme is also used to foreshadow the future of the telenovela, which was an interesting choice to me. The theme song is so catchy, that I mindlessly sang along without realizing what the words actually meant. It was not until the novela progressed and I took a close listen to the actual lyrics that I realized they were telling the story of the novela itself from beginning, middle, to end. At first, I felt that this spoils the telenovela too much, however, since it is based off of the earlier telenovela, Los Ricos También Lloran, I felt they were trying to play homage to the original story and remind the audience what plot is at the heart of the telenovela.
Beyond the theme song, instrumental music is used to signal every change of emotion. When Maria is happy or experiences a stroke of luck, an upbeat, happy go lucky score is played to call attention to her high spirits. The instrumental is sweet and innocent, working to compliment Maria’s kind nature and peace of mind after all the traumas she repeatedly endures.
In true telenovela fashion though, the cliff hangers and stressful moments also warrant their own unique sounds that draw you into the anxiety and energy of the scene. Whenever the plot takes a drastic turn, there is an increase in tempo that makes me feel like I was in the room, running alongside the characters as well, waiting to see what would happen next. It is not hard to notice that something is running amuck in the De La Vega household when the violin is scratched and this fast paced music follows:
In the same way that love is celebrated with a romantic violin and piano combination, Maria’s sadness is always accompanied by an oppositely, somber piano score that too intensifies with the sadness she feels, making the audience feel for and pity Maria’s condition and treatment.
Every successful villain must have a successful theme song. My favorite instrumental by far is the main villain, Soroya's theme that comes on at the precise moment that Soroya is up to no good. The music is so intense and suspenseful that it sends chills down your spine and there is no doubt when the instrumental plays that Soroya’s evil plan is perfectly coming together.
The music in Maria La Del Barrio is not only effective, but essential in drawing the audience in, and playing with their emotions even further. The novela would not be as powerful and impactful without the music pieces that capture you and make you feel like you’re sitting in the living room with the characters or witnessing someone be pushed down the stairs or slapped in real life. An important point that I really appreciated and liked about the production of this telenovela’s score is the fact that it sounds cohesive in the instruments used. Every music piece no matter, sad, romantic, happy, or dramatic, uses the same instruments - primarily piano and violin. Thus, it is noticeable that the music is all from the same novela, and there are no awkward or out of place pieces; they all follow and convey the same feeling that the novela gives off. The music makes the change of plots and characters in the scene recognizable, while not being too predictable, lending itself to an enjoyable and fun watching experience for viewers. I watch telenovelas for the dramatics and antics and the music here was nothing short of that. The score is ultimately a breath of fresh air and life into the scenes' complex and highstakes emotional rollercoasters.
Hi Daniella! First, I need to say this: I wish I'd thought about Maria La Del Barrio as I was choosing my telenovela. This was everyone in my house's favorite telenovela when it came out. So, after your presentation, I dashed here looking for your posts to comment on! Maria La Del Barrio opening theme is such a powerful song! It lifts you up and it sounds so empowering. Maria goes through hell from the beginning of her story, and I remember that, regardless of that, the theme song made me feel like everything was going to be ok. I watched the three Marias in order, and this opening song just felt so earned. Maria Mercedes's theme was sad and carried so much suffering. Marimar started to lift things up. And then, boom!, we're hit in the face with the power of Maria La Del Barrio. In a way, it's like the telenovela knows it all came down to this moment: the big release and the epic story. Listening to it again took me down memory lane. Just writing this comment, I played the theme song twice from your post. :)
ReplyDeleteDaniella, thank you for your post! Music is such a strong part of a television show. If we were to all watch a series without music, it would be quite difficult to get through. Even though we may not recognize it in every instance, music fills gaps, alludes to certain emotions, foreshadows, and draws attention. It is the pinnacle of an excellent series. Viewers also have a strong connection to the music. Many fans become excited when they hear a theme song or a love song often played when two love-interests interact.
ReplyDeleteMy telenovela, Celia, is a bionovela about the life of famous singer, Celia. Not only is the music throughout the series important in the background, but also the music the actress produces herself, as she must do the original singer justice. The show would not have been as successful as it was without this very important element.