1. Opera in the Baroque Era
Part 4, Section /26/17

2. 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

3. 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’

4. Claudio Monteverdi
Part 4, Section /26/17

5. 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

6. 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)

7. Henry Purcell
Part 4, Section /26/17

8. 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

9. 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