Exam Opera Flashcards
When was the play “Le Mariage de Figaro” written?
1784 by Beaumarchais
Why was the play “Le Mariage de Figaro” scandalous?
The play satirised/made fun of the upper classes and their relationships with their servants
How was Mozart allowed to write the operatic version of the marriage of figaro?
As Da Ponte assured Emperor Joseph II that all offensive material had been taken out
What happened in the classical era in regards to the appreciation of music?
The appreciation of music was no longer limited to the rich and powerful
Middle class became patrons of music
What happened to musical forms as a result of the middle class?
Composers wrote music to meet the needs of a more diverse audience, thus making the forms simpler and less intense
What happened for composers in the classical era?
Composers could imagine careers as free lance composers
Where would townspeople organise concerts in the classical era?
As the palace concerts were closed to the public, the people organised public concerts
How did the aristocracy patronise music in classical era?
By supporting composers, and making printing presses
How does the composer, patron and public effect the marriage of figaro?
They turned from serious opera to comic opera
They could ridicule the aristocracy
Dancing became less elegant and courtly
When did the french revolution begin?
1789
What was the enlightenment?
Lead by a group of philosophes, Enlightenment intellectuals advocated for reason and equality, speaking out against class division, aristocracy, and prejudice. These ideals laid the groundwork for the American and French resistance against absolute monarchy, paving the way to revolution
What were the 3 main reasons for the French revolution?
- Money Problems (national debt, unfair tax laws, ancient class systems)
- Economic Depression
- The Enlightenment
