Transcript Chapter 21 - Cengage Learning

Chapter 12
Opera in the Baroque
Begins on page 106
Beginning of opera
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desire for expressive vocal music
wanted to return to ancient Greek dramas
first opera houses founded in Venice, Italy
over the years, goal of expressive music was
replaced by virtuoso singing
Elements of Opera
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Voices and roles
Ensembles
Orchestra
Libretto
Staging
Operatic Conventions
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Everything is sung
“Bigger than life” qualities
Often in foreign language
Compressed time frame
Enjoying opera
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Much beautiful music
Expressiveness of music and words combined
Appeals to both eyes and ears
Has a “bigger than life” quality
Monteverdi’s The Coronation of
Poppea
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Monteverdi was the most
important composer of the early
Baroque
The Coronation of Poppea was his
last opera
Contains many characteristics of
recitative
Copyright © 2010 by Schirmer Cengage Learning
Purcell’s “Dido’s Lament” from
Dido and Aeneas
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Recitative and aria
Ostinato bass line repeated 11
times
No virtuoso singing
Copyright © 2010 by Schirmer Cengage Learning
Summary
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Elements of opera
Operatic conventions
Monteverdi’s The Coronation of Poppea
Purcell’s “Dido’s Lament” from Dido and
Aeneas