Early Baroque Opera Revised

Early Baroque Opera Revised

1. Background

   • Intermedio
     • Musical interludes between acts of a play
     • 1. Chorus, soloist and instrumental ensemble 2. Mythical theme 3.Mostly in Italy
   • Madrigal (in Context of Opera)
     • Has narrative
     • Leads to the dialogue in Opera
   • Greek Tradegy
     • Chorus composed for Greek Play
       • Comment on the action onstage
     • Emotional Content very important
   • Pastoral Drama
     • Popular in Italian Courts
     • Influenced Opera through song and dance and mytholthical characters

2. Important People

   • Vincenzo Galilei (1525-91)
     • Was against polyphony
     • Considered word painting childish
     • Part of the Florentine Camerata and was in correspondence with Girolamo Mei
   • Girolamo Mei (1519- 94)
     • One of the leading scholars on Roman and Greek Culture
       • Figured out that Greek music was one single melodic line
     • The scholar the Florentine Camerata collaberated with
   • Florentine Camerata (1570's)
     • Informal academy of scholars
       • Interested in Roman arts, music, science, etc....
     • Commissioned music they thought reflected that of Greek and Roman Music and Tragedies
       • First Opera
         • Jacopo Peri ( 1561- 1633)
           • Wrote Dafne (1598)
             • Only fragments have survived
           • Developed Recitative Style
             • Style of Speech Song
             • Thought to be imitating Greek Epic Poetry Recitation
             • Basso continuo holds while performer sings in speech-like patterns
     • Thought Polyphony was old school and wanted to usher in monody
       • monody- Works for solo voice and maybe continuo
     • Wouldn't have opera without them

3. What is it?

   • Sung drama with Libretto
   • Has Soloist, chorus, dance, orchestra, and mythic theme
   • Org. for aristocracy, later for public
   • 1st opera house in Venice 1637

4. Monteverdi

   • Music
     • Wrote in both Renaissance and Baroque style Knew he was writing in both and called them...
       • Seconda Practice = Baroque style Free with rhythm and dissonance
       • Prima practica = Renaissance style
   • L'Orfeo
     • arias, duets, madrigals, recitatives, ritornellos, choruses, dance Working for Contrast
     • Uses a 40 instrument orchestra with specified score.
     • Borrowed contrasting elements of church music for opera