Chapter 13: Vocal Music in the Classical Era Flashcards

1
Q

Who were some of the leading opera composers of the classical era?

A

Johann Adolph Hasse (1699-1783), Baldassare Galuppi (1706-1785), Willibald Gluck (1714-1787), Niccòlo Jommelli (1714-1774), Tomasso Traetta (1727-1779), Niccòlo Piccinni (1741-1813), Domenico Cimarosa (1749-1801), Antonio Salieri (1750-1825), and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791).

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2
Q

What is Opera Buffa?

A
  • Also known as comic opera.
  • Occurred as early as the 1720’s
  • Subject matter was humorous rather than serious.
  • Libretto centered on everyday characters rather than heroes, rulers, or gods.
  • Singers included basses but not castrati.
  • Gave more emphasis to ensemble singing.
  • Avoided da capo arias & vocal improvisation opportunities
    • Melodies were simple & straightforward
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3
Q

Describe “La serva padrona” by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi.

A
  • “The Maidservant as Mistress”
  • Featured intermezzo
  • Written in 1733 & first performed in Naples
  • Tells story of a maidservent who becomes a mistress of the household in which she has been employed.
  • Two singers: Uberto (a bass) and Serpina (a soprano)
  • The orchestra consists of string and basso continuo
  • Homophonic texture w/ voice part doubled by orchestra
  • Points toward lighter style of mid-18th century
  • Less monolithic approach to musical expression.
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4
Q

Who was André Grétry (1741-1813) ?

A
  • “the French Pergolesi”
  • The most notable french composer to incorparate elements of comic opera into their works.
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5
Q

Who were notable composers to reform opera?

A

Jommelli, Traetta, and Gluck.

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6
Q

What are some characteristics that distinguish reform opera from opera seria?

A
  • no da capo arias
  • little or no opportunity for vocal improvisation or virtuosic displays of vocal agility or power
  • no long melismas
  • a more predominantly syllabic setting of the text to make the words more intelligible
  • far less repetition of text within an aria
  • a blurring of the distinction between recitative and aria, declamatory and lyrical passages, with altogether less recitiative
  • simpler, more flowing melodic lines
  • an overture that is linked by theme or mood to the ensuing action
  • more prominence for the chorus, giving it more important role commenting on the events unfolding on stage
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7
Q

What was special about Mozart’s operas?

A
  • Created psychologically and believable complex characters
  • Synthesized and transcended the boundaries of buffa, seria, and other operatic styles.
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8
Q

What is intermezzo?

A

A work intended for performance between the acts of a larger (serious) opera.

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9
Q

Why was opera buffa controversal?

A

Opponents considered it an affront to established traditions.

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10
Q

What is the War of the Buffoons (Guerre des Bouffons) ?

A
  • Ignited by debut of Pergolesi’s La serva padrona in Paris in 1752.
  • Provided an opportunity for competing social groups to jockey for influence and a pretext for some to question authority without directly confronting it.
  • French traditionalists wanted to uphold tragédie lyrique
  • Others wanted to use opera buffa to promote a new, lighter style of musical theater in France.
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11
Q

What is the Quarrel of the Gluckists and Piccinnists?

A
  • In the late 1770s the debate that pitted Italian against French culture.
  • Featured Gluck and Piccinni who were both foreigners.
  • Saw Gluck as continuing French ‘tragédie lyrique’ while Piccinni was preceived to represent Italian tradition of opera seria.
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