Baroque Vocal Music: Oratorio and Cantata

Question 1

Vocal music was the ideal vehicle for Baroque ___ portrayal.

Answer 1

Emotional.

Question 2

Types of Baroque vocal music:

Answer 2

Opera, oratorio (and passion), cantata, Mass, motet.

Question 3

Who were the vocal music patrons of the Baroque?

Answer 3

Church, opera houses, and court.

Question 4

Church was the patron of…

Answer 4

Sacred vocal music.

Question 5

Opera houses were the patron of…

Answer 5

Secular vocal music.

Question 6

Courts were the patrons of…

Answer 6

Sacred and secular vocal music.

Question 7

What are the two general characteristics of sacred vocal music?

Answer 7

• Use of a choir.

- Borrow from secular (opera).

Question 8

What are elements borrowed from operas in sacred vocal music?

Answer 8

• Solo singers (da capo aria from opera seria).

- Elements of theatricality.

Question 9

Oratorio

Answer 9

Unstated opera on a religious subject. No scenery, costumes, or acting – concert form.

Question 10

How long are oratorio’s?

Answer 10

2 - 3 hours.

Question 11

Passion

Answer 11

All about the end of Christ’s life and his reincarnation (New Testament). Evangelist.

Question 12

Oratorio focused on the ___ Testament.

Answer 12

Old.

Question 13

What opera seria traditions were incorporated into the oratorio?

Answer 13

• Multiple acts.
• Real characters.
• Recitative (dramatic exposition).
• Aria (emotional reflection).

Question 14

How is an oratorio different from opera seria?

Answer 14

The chorus plays a central role in the oratorio, unlike in opera seria.

Question 15

Is the oratorio a part of liturgy (church service)?

Answer 15

No.

Question 16

Oratorio was the substitute for opera during ___.

Answer 16

Lent.

Question 17

Why was opera allowed during Lent?

Answer 17

• Somber (sacred).

- Denial of worldly pleasures (unstaged).

Question 18

___ replaced Italian opera.

Answer 18

England.

Question 19

How does Messiah differ from typical oratorios?

Answer 19

No characters. Just follows the life of Jesus from birth to death. Chorus has multiple roles.

Question 20

Terraced Dynamics

Answer 20

Single affect per section. Loud or quiet, not both.

Question 21

Cantata

Answer 21

A piece of moderate length for voices and instruments. Series of recitatives, arias, and choral movements.

Question 22

Cantata was ___ in Italy but ___ in Germany.

Answer 22

Secular, sacred.

Question 23

Lutheran cantatas had sacred text, with no ___ or ___.

Answer 23

Narrative, characters.

Question 24

Lutheran cantatas made use of traditional congregational hymns, also known as ___.

Answer 24

Chorales.

Question 25

Chorale

Answer 25

Hymns.

Question 26

When was the chorale born?

Answer 26

Of Martin Luther’s reforms during the reformation.

Question 27

Chorale encouraged ___ participation in worship services.

Answer 27

Congregational.

Question 28

Characteristics of chorale:

Answer 28

• Easily singable melody.
• Homophonic texture.
• Constant harmonic changes.
• Multiple cadences/short phrases.

Question 29

Unifying device for the cantata:

Answer 29

• One verse sung simply as final movement (with orchestra).

- Other verses presented throughout cantata with new harmonies or counterpoint. Imitative polyphony.