Baroque Opera

What is Opera?

How did Opera develop?

Music always important in theatre Songs, dances, instrumental interludes in plays by Shakespeare Madrigal Comedies (late 16th century) cycles of madrigals connected by a dramatic theme with spoken dialogue, unstaged Somethings missing

Development of Opera, cont.

Recitative solo voices declaim large amount of texts in a rapid and comprehensible manner Syllabic style of singing emphasis on declamation not melody Allowed composers to approximate natural speech and indicated specific pitches

Earliest Opera
Earliest forms of Opera were written between 1598 and 1602 Mixed polyphonic madrigals, aria, choruses, instrumental interludes, recitatives Did not make strong impressions Could not hold viewer interest The challenge: creating opera that is musically and dramatically satisfying

Monteverdis Orfeo
1607 Acknowledged to be the first opera to meet this challenge and gain critical acclaim The score calls for 40 instruments (astonishing demand for the time) Continuo harp, harpsichord, organ, viola da gamba Strings violins, violas, cello, bass viols Wind trumpet, trombone, recorders, cornett

Opera
Drama presented in music, with characters singing instead of speaking Libretto: text of the opera Most characteristic art form of the Baroque Period Combined music, drama, poetry, dancing, elaborate scene design, and special effects

Opera
Early Florentine operas were presented as court entertainment Royal weddings, festivals, etc. However, opera houses became as public as movie theatres First opera house: Venice 1638 With the new desire for individualism & emotionalism, opera was the perfect medium through which this could be achieved

Spread of Opera
Florence and Mantua to other cities in Italy Royalty used opera to promote musical and poetic sophistication as well technological prowess Commissioned opera to celebrate weddings, birthdays, state visits, funerals, military victories The church used opera to convey moral and spiritual ideas

Spread of Opera
1638 first opera house in Venice Began to spread beyond courts and nobility Public opera houses allowed middle-class to attend (anyone who could pay) Partly supported by state (still in place today)

Spread of Opera
Change of audience change of production, and musical styles Instead of lavish scenery, audiences were treated to lavish virtuosity Musical styles reflected larger audiences Greater emphasis on melody Plots shift from mythological to realistic or historical, comedic elements

Recitative
From the Italian word for recitation The technique of declaiming words musically in a heightened, theatrical manner Used for plot action, dialogue and other situations in which it is important for any words to be brought out

Aria
An extended piece for solo singer that has much more musical elaboration and coherence than a passage of recitative More melodic, consistent rhythm, accompaniment is entire orchestra Required virtuosic singing as well as the ability to express deep emotions through singing and gesture 17th century opera houses became showcases for incredible singing Ever since, musical drama and vocal display have tied with one another as the driving force of opera

Why Opera?
With the new desire for individualism emotionalism, opera was the perfect medium through which this could be achieved

Modern Opera
John Adams Nixon in China and Dr. Atomic Philip Glass Einstein on the Beach