Chapter 41 Flashcards
Enlightenment
a philosophical, scientific, and political movement that dominated18th century thought, the church or court weren’t in charge anymore, instead democratic institutions were, 1730-1790, 60 year period
Les philosophes
group of French freethinkers who wrote the 28 volume Encyclopedia, included Diderot (1713-1784), Rousseau (1712-1778), and Voltaire (1694-1778), told others about the principles of social justice, equality, religious tolerance (don’t argue/have war over religion), and freedom of speech
Galant style
18th century music, graceful, light in texture, and symmetrical in melodic structure
Faustina Bordini
prima donna of the age, very expensive soprano
prima donna
leading lady
Pietro Metastasio
The principal librettist for 18th century opera seria, worked with Hasse for 30 operas, wrote librettie for 400 operas, was great at making poetic drama
Coloratura
soprano voice
Comic opera
direct type of musical theater that made use of comic characters, dealt with everyday social issues, and emphasized values more in step with those of the Enlightenment middle class
Ballad
a traditional, usually strophic, song that tells a lengthy story
Ballad opera
a comic opera using re-texted ballads and spoken dialogue rather than recitative
Opera buffa
Italian comic opera
Intermezzo
musical diversion between the acts of the opera or play
La Guerre des Bouffons
disagreement over Italian and French musical style, off and on for a couple years debated whether old or new style of opera was better
Opera comique
French comic opera with everyday people and spoken dialogue
Reform opera
combines Italian and French traditions, Italian lyricism and the dramatic expression of the French
Obbligato recitative
also called accompanied recitative, recitative with an orchestral accompaniment
When is “The Enlightenment”?
1730-1790
Why is the enlightenment important?
It switched everybody’s thinking. The church and the court weren’t in charge of everything anymore.
What was the enlightenment’s effect on art, society, France?
Les philosophes contributed a lot to every aspect of life. This included the arts. This time allowed music to leave the church behind them and be able to make their own rules. It gave more freedom to musical advancement. Both the American (1776) and the France (1789) revolution began during this time.
Explain opera seria.
good triumphs over evil, included no comedy, praises the king, mostly private performances, includes intermezzos, sung only in Italian
What is in an intermezzo?
part in the middle of acts, characters on stage that don’t have parts, 10 minutes each, 2-4 characters, started around 1700, in opera seria, Pergolesi made them popular
Why didn’t they include comedy in opera seria?
no room for it and not the right topic for it
What are Pietro Metastasio’s dates? And who was he?
1698-1782, librettist, wrote the libretto of Cleofide
What kind of roles do castrati sing?
younger people
What kind of roles do basses and tenors sing?
fathers or authority figures
What are Johann Hasse’s dates?
1699-1783
Ballad opera
spoken dialogue, usually about common people, has retexted ballads or popular songs
opera buffa
all singing, Italian, male lead was a comic bass instead of a castrata
Opera comique
had retexted popular songs, all singing, France
Singspiel
has spoken dialogue, means singing play, focused on supernatural, Germany
Explain comic opera.
sung in native tongue, made fun of aristocrats, about middle class, characters are known, included actors who could sing
Pergolesi’s dates?
1710-1736
What is reform opera?
simplified plot, less characters, more restrained vocal style, chorus was more important, orchestra is more important, and dance is a dramatic function
Gluck’s dates? Contributions?
1714-1787, 45 operas, created reform opera
