Baroque Opera

Question 1

Affect

Answer 1

The main emotion

Question 2

Coloratura

Answer 2

Virtuosic and “show offy”

Question 3

Opera Seria

Answer 3

An Italien opera on a serious, usually classical or mythological theme.

Question 4

Libretto

Answer 4

The text of an opera or other long vocal work.

Question 5

Librettist

Answer 5

The writer/composer of the Libretto.

Question 6

Recitative

Answer 6

Musical declamation of the kind usual in the narrative and dialogue parts, sung in the rhythm of ordinary speech with many words on the same note.

Question 7

Aria

Answer 7

A long, accompanied song for a solo voice.

Question 8

Da Capo Form

Answer 8

Standard Italian Baroque opera aria form
Emphasis “important” words with runs –elaboration, etc.
Ternary form – A B A
Based on poem in two stanzas
A section sets 1st stanza to music
Contrasting B section sets 2nd stanza
Da capo (from the head) Performers repeat entire A section

Question 9

Castro

Answer 9

Castrati were biggest stars in Italian opera

Boys with beautiful voices who were castrated and never went through puberty