Terms 4 Flashcards
What is a concert overture?
Programmatic music in the style of an overture but intended for a standalone performance
What is an example of a concert overture?
Mendelssohn’s Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream
What is a symphonic poem?
A single-movement programmatic orchestral work
What is an example of a symphonic poem?
Liszt’s Les Preludes
What is the germ cell technique?
The derivation of all of the main material of the work from an initial motive
What is thematic transformation?
The transformation of a theme, often through variation techniques that change the themes character
What is bel canto and what type of opera does it come from?
“Beautiful singing” in italian opera in the late 18th to early 19th centuries
What are Rossini’s requirements for bel canto?
1) naturally beautiful voice with an even tone across whole vocal range
2) thorough training that allowed light and flexible voice able to deliver highly florid music effortlessly
3) mastery of the style through exposure to the best singers of the period
What were the characteristics of Italian opera?
- Sung throughout
- secco recitative replaced by accompagnato recitative
- strong conventions
What is a major character’s first aria called?
A cavatina
What is the structure of an Italian aria?
1) Scena
2) Cantabile (or andante; lyrical)
3) Tempo di mezzo (change in situation)
4) Cabaletta (fast, with fireworks)
What are examples of Italian arias?
Rossini’s “Una voce poco fa” from Barber of Seville and Bellini’s “Casta diva” from Norma
What is the structure of an Italian duet?
1) Scena
2) Tempo d’attacco (series of dialogues)
3) Largo concertato or pezzo concertato (lyrical themes)
4) Tempo di mezzo (change in situation)
4) Stretta (fast and rhythmic)
What are the two forms of French opera?
Opera comique and grand opera
What is opera comique?
Opera using both spoken dialogue and singing
