Opera in the Baroque Era Part 4, Section 6 - 10/26/17

Early Opera Modeled on the music of ancient Greek tragedy New vocal style became known as recitative (recited) All homophonic because polyphonic would obscure important text Euridice by Peri is the earliest opera preserved Orfeo (first great opera) by Monteverdi was composed in 1607 Subject matter drawn from Greek mythology & ancient history Opera reflected creativity of librettist & composer Radiant appearance of Apollo (god of poetry, music & sun) might symbolize a prince’s enlightened rule First public opera house opened in Venice in 1637

Later Baroque Opera Baroque era → Rise of virtuoso performers/singers Castrato: male singer who had been castrated before puberty Peasant parents gave consent hoping their son would become an opera star & make a lot of money Can sing as high as women, but it doesn’t sound the same as women Some Baroque operas can’t be performed today because the castrato parts are too difficult Recitatives began just linking arias Accompanied (supported by orchestra) & secco recitative (accompanied only by basso continuo) Da Capo arias (meaning from the beginning): ABA or actually ABA’

Claudio Monteverdi Part 4, Section 7 - 10/26/17

His Life Born in Italy (1567-1643) Bridged Renaissance & Baroque eras Worked at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice as music director for 30 years Wrote madrigals, church music & operas Only 3 of the 12 operas he wrote were preserved Wanted to create music of emotional intensity

You Are Dead, Act II, Orfeo (Orpheus) Instrumentation: Male soloist w/orchestra Form: Recitative Texture: Homophonic Meter: Recit. Notes: Uses word painting frequently! Orpheus’s wife dies (he’s supremely gifted musicians of Greek myth). Orpheus goes to Hades & strikes a deal on the condition that he doesn’t look back at her while leading her out of Hades. He looks back & she vanishes. Apollo pities Orpheus & brings him to Heaven. You Are Dead, Act II, Orfeo (Orpheus)

Henry Purcell Part 4, Section 8 - 10/26/17

His Life Ground Bass Born in London, England (1659-1695) Became composer for the king’s string orchestra at age 18 Mastered all musical forms of his century Church music, secular choral music, small instrumental ensembles, vocal songs, and music for the stage Ground Bass Some of his finest songs use a variation form found in many Baroque pieces - a ground bass Musical idea in the bass is repeated while the melodies above change Constant repetition of the bass pattern gives unity Free flow of melodic lines above it give variety

Dido’s Lament, Act III, Dido and Aeneas Instrumentation: Female soloist w/orchestra Form: Aria Texture: Homophonic Meter: Triple Notes: Built on a chromatic scale descending ground bass that is stated 11 times Dido (queen) & Aeneas (king of Trojans) fall in love. Witches plot Dido’s downfall & trick Aeneas into leaving because the “gods” command him too. When he leaves, Dido kills herself. Dido’s Lament, Act III, Dido and Aeneas