Early Baroque Opera

Early Baroque Opera

1. Precursors

   • Intermedio
     • musical interludes btw acts of a play
   • Madrigal
     • Uses contrasting voice group to suggest dialogue, leads to dialogue in opera setting
   • Pastoral Drama
     • A play in verse with music and songs interspersed Leads mythological characters and music and dance in opera 
   • Greek Tragedy
     • Choruses Composed for Greek play Commenting on action on Stage Emotional content very important

2. Florentine Camerata (1570's)

   • Overview
     • Informal academy of scholar interested in Greek and Roman arts, music, science, etc....
   • Opera
     • Commissioned pieces that they thought were in the style of the Greeks and Romans.  Move toward monody

3. Montiverdi

   • L'Orfeo
     • 1st good opera
   • Characteristics of his operas
     • Recitative Church music all male choir drama only through music