Reading: Romantic Opera and Late Romantic Opera Flashcards
Why was the nineteenth century considered the golden age of opera?
Because opera tied into two important Romantic themes.
- Breaking down barriers between the arts.
- Celebration of music as the most profound of all the arts.
What did Wagner call his operas?
Music dramas.
Why did Wagner call his operas music dramas?
Because he believed opera was a type of serious drama in music, not just a vehicle for song, spectacle, and entertainment.
Bel Canto
A style of singing that brings out the sensuous beauty of the voice.
True or false? Verdi prized the orchestra above all, and occasionally even let it overshadow voices in his opera.
False, Verdi prized the voice above all.
Did Verdi’s opera ever have sections only accompanied by harpsichord?
No, they were always accompanied by orchestra.
What is the difference between the Romantic opera’s recitative and aria?
The aria can be taken out and sung alone at a concert.
Cadenza
An improvised passage for the soloist in a concerto, or sometimes in other works. Concerto cadenzas usually come near ends of movements.
Ensemble
A musical number in an opera, cantata, or oratorio that is sung by two or more people.
The distinction between recitative and aria was broken down by ___.
Verdi.
