Chapter 21 - Opera and Vocal Music in the Early Classical Period Flashcards
When did a divergence between comic and serious opera begin to develop?
Around 1700
Musical style during the enlightenment can have it’s roots traced to what kind of music?
Vocal music, because of it’s natural expressiveness
Many aspects of classical era music originated in what Italian genre?
Many classical era musical traits originated in Italian opera during the 1720’s and 30’s
Why was comic opera more innovative than serious opera?
Comic opera had the freedom to be more innovative because it was not weighed down by serious subject matter and conventional means of expression
What is opera buffa?
Italian comic opera, a full length work with six or more singers
The plot lines of opera buffa revolved around what?
The lives of ordinary people in the present day
The plot lines of serious opera evolved around what?
Mythological or historical stories and characters
True or false: In comic opera the story lines often revolve around serious characters that interact with the comic characters
True
What style is usually for arias in comic opera?
Galant style is the norm, consisting of short tuneful phrases, organized into periods, often repeated or varied and accompanied by simple harmonies
What are some characteristics of the galant style?
- Short tuneful phrases
- Phrases organized into periods
- Slower, simpler harmonies
Who was an important pioneer of galant style aria?
Leonardo Vinci (1696-1730)
What is intermezzo?
This is a type of Italian comic opera that was played between the acts of a serious opera or play
When and where did intermezzo originate?
Intermezzo originated around 1700 in Venice and Naples
Why did intermezzo come about?
Intermezzo was invented at a time when comic characters and scenes were being purged from serious opera
Intermezzo allows the serious opera to maintain it’s_____, while still providing _____
Intermezzo allows the serious opera to maintain it’s integrity while still providing comic relief
Birth and death of Giovanni Pergolesi
1710-1736
Giovanni Pergolessi is best known for what work?
The intermezzo, La Serva Padrona (1733)
Why is Giovanni Pergolessi important?
Pergolessi is important because his works were influential in that they show early classical style, with many contrasting but simple melodies over sparse accompaniment
As the eighteenth century went on how did the plots of comic operas change?
New elements and plot lines began to be seen alongside comic ones, including woeful, sentimental, and serious plots
What is a new development in comic opera that appeared in the operas of Logroscion and Galuppi?
The ensemble finale which is where at the end of the act all the characters are gradually brought on stage and join into the action and music, creating a hectic atmosphere
What are ensemble finales?
These are where at the end of the act all the characters are gradually brought on stage and join into the action and music
Who were pioneers of the ensemble finale?
Nicola Logroscino and Baldassare Galuppi
What are some characteristics of Italian comic opera?
- Galant style
- Emotional fluidity
- Direct expression
- Stylistic contrasts
What is opera seria?
Serious opera; does not have comic scenes or characters
Who set the standard form for opera seria?
The Italian poet Pietro Metastasio (1698-1782)
Pietro Metastasio was poet for what court?
Metastasio was court poet in Vienna from 1729 until 1782
Metastasios’ serious operas are usually about what?
Conflicts in human passions, often pitting love against duty, usually with a happy ending
Opera seria is strictly conveyed through what two styles?
Aria and recitative
What is the role of the orchestra is opera seria?
Almost entirely as accompaniment to support the singers
When did composers begin to convey multiple emotions in a movement rather than only one as in baroque music?
in the 1720’s and 30’s
Who was considered by his contemporaries the master of opera seria?
Johann Adolf Hasse (1699-1783)
Who was Johann Adolf Hasse? Where was he born and in what style did he compose?
He was a composer of opera seria and one of the most successful composers of opera from the 1720’s to 1770’s. He was born in Hamburg but composed in an Italian style
Comic opera was always performed in what language?
The local language
Comic opera encouraged the growth of _____
Comic opera encouraged the growth of distinct national opera traditions
What are vaudevilles?
These are popular tunes or imitations of popular tunes used in opera comique
What is opera comique?
This is the French style of comic opera that features spoken dialogue and popular music known as vaudvilles
Gradually the music in opera comique began to be freshly composed as the Italian influence became more prominent. When were vaudevilles phased out by original music?
In about the 1760’s
Who was the leading composer of opera comique in France?
Andre Ernest Modeste Gretry (1741-1813)
Define ballad opera
Ballad opera was a popular form of comic opera in England that features music that sets new words to borrowed tunes, folk songs, and dances as well as spoken dialogue
Define singspiel
German for “singing play,” this is a type of comic opera that features spoken dialogue and musical numbers
How did comic opera help drive the development of distinct national styles?
Because it had to pander to the general public instead of depending on aristocratic patronage for support, comic opera became more individual to the locality of the production
How many acts does opera seria have?
Three
Who was a prominent figure in opera reform?
Christoph Gluck (1714-1787)
Birth and death of Christoph Gluck
1714-1787
Gluck advocated for what concerning opera?
He advocated for a return to plot as the focus of opera rather than virtuosic flashy displays of singing and staging
Gluck and opera reformers wanted music to do what?
Opera reform wanted music to return to its role as servant to the plot and poetry
Opera reform sought to opera that was “natural.” List four qualities they desired
- Expressive
- Flexible
- Less ornamented
- More musical resources
Amateur music making was becoming popular at this time, especially for published songs. Describe these songs for the public as they typically appeared
- Relatively simple
- Keyboard or guitar accompaniment
- Diatonic
- Strophic
- Syllabic
An important genre in German aimed at amatuers was what?
The Leider or German language song
Name three characteristics of Leider
- Designed to be easy to sing
- Very simple accompaniment
- Performed for pleasure rather than to impress
Name four important composers of leid
- C.P.E. Bach
- Telemann
- Carl Graun
- Johann Reichardt
Church music during the Classical era was not _____
Innovative
Church music during the Classical tended to follow what sector of music?
Church music during this time tended to follow secular modals and innovations
What are fuging tunes?
These are songs that begin with a syllabic homophonic section and then move into a section of imitation before returning to homophony
What was the first collection of music in North America?
The New England Psalm Singer (1770) by William Billings
English church music kept what kind of music alive?
Baroque music
Church music in the new world was modeled after what?
It was modeled after the colony’s respective national styles and traditions
How is Italian comic opera different from comic other in other countries?
It is sung throughout
What element of opera buffa derives from Italian commedia dell’arte?
The caricatured personae
What is one distinguishing feature of opera buffa in comparison to opera seria?
Opera buffa contains everyday characters and contemporary settings
What shift occurred in opera seria in the 1720s and 1730s?
Arias began to display a variety of moods and emotions
What is commedia dell’ arte?
A type of Italian theatre drama featuring improvised lines on familiar stories, and an emphasis on the ensemble. The form was around from the 16-18th centuries
