Unit 1: The Classical Era Flashcards
The most vibrant intellectual movement of the 18th century; central themes were reason, nature, and progress.
Enlightenment
One of the leaders of the enlightenment; argued for the merits of Italian opera
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
18th century genre of Italian comic opera, performed between acts of a serious opera or play
Intermezzo
18th century genre of Italian comic opera, sung throughout
Opera buffa
18th century genre of Italian opera, on a serious subject but normally with a happy ending, usually without comic characters and scenes
Opera seria
Genre of 18th century English comic play featuring songs in which new words are set to borrowed words
Ballad opera
German genre of opera, featuring spoken dialogue interspersed with songs, choruses, and instrumental music
Singspiel
Intermezzo by Pergolesi (1733); a classic example of mini-opera–only three characters
La serva padrona
One of the most original composers of his day, but died young from tuberculosis. Best known for his intermezzo La Serva Padrona
Giovanni Battista Pergolesi
Pamphlet war over the opposition to the “old-fashioned, state-subsidized French opera” in Paris, 1752-1754
Querelle des bouffans
Italian poet who gave opera seria its standard form
Pietro Metastasio
Composer of Orfeo ed Eurydice; achieved a “winning synthesis of French, Italian, and German operatic styles”
Christoph Willibald Glück
What is this?
Composer: Pergolesi
Work: La Serva Pedrona
Movement: Aria-“Son imbrogliato io”
Date: 1733
What is this?
Composer: Pergolesi
Work: La Serva Pedrona
Movement: Recitative “Ah, quanto mi sta male”
Date: 1733
What is this?
Composer: Gay
Work: The Beggar’s Opera
Movement: My Heart Was So Free
Date: 1728
