Opera

Question 1

Opera Seria: When, where?

Answer 1

• Late Baroque period

- Venetian opera school

Question 2

Opera Seria: Acts

Answer 2

3

Question 3

Opera Seria: Dialogue

Answer 3

Sung

Question 4

Opera Seria: Subject matter

Answer 4

Stories of ancient kings, queens, gods and goddesses

Question 5

Opera Seria: Which type of singers were commonly used?

Answer 5

Castrato singers

Question 6

Opera Seria: What was the main concern and dominated the opera?

Answer 6

The music

Question 7

Opera Seria: Which types of singing were exploited?

Answer 7

Coloratura and bel canto singing

Question 8

Opera Seria: What kept the opera together?

Answer 8

-Virtuosity
-Spectacular stage effects
-Intrigue
(as the plot was usually not credible)

Question 9

Opera Seria: Which social class was it aimed at?

Answer 9

The upper class

Question 10

Opera Seria: Which aria was very popular?

Answer 10

The da capo aria

Question 11

Opera Buffa: When, where?

Answer 11

• 17th Century

- Rome

Question 12

Opera Buffa: How did it begin?

Answer 12

It began as comic skits between acts of an opera

Question 13

Opera Buffa: Characters

Answer 13

Were common people, representing professions and social classes

Question 14

Opera Buffa: What did the stories deal with?

Answer 14

Humorous events from everyday life

Question 15

Opera Buffa: How many acts and what did they use?

Answer 15

• 2 acts

- Using song, spoken dialogue and action

Question 16

Opera Buffa: Which style was used?

Answer 16

-Porlando style: quick spoken dialogue with pieces of recitative in between

Question 17

Opera Buffa: What is used for comic situations?

Answer 17

Recitativo secco

Question 18

Opera Buffa: Which texts is preference given to?

Answer 18

• Texts dealing with national life
• Texts in the native language or dialect
• Folk songs and dances

Question 19

Opera Buffa: Are the castrato singers?

Answer 19

No

Question 20

Opera Buffa: Which social class did it appeal to?

Answer 20

Middle Class

Question 21

Opera Buffa: What type of finale did it have?

Answer 21

Ensemble type finale in the form of a quartet

Question 22

Singspiel: Origin

Answer 22

German origin

German form of opera Buffa

Question 23

Singspiel: Dialogue

Answer 23

Spoken dialogue, rather than recitative

Question 24

Singspiel: Melodies

Answer 24

Simple, resembling German folk songs