allison+Harris+-++Baroque+Opera

= = Baroque Opera

Baroque Era The baroque era extended from 1600 to 1756, it describes a style or period in music. The term “baroque” was initially used to describe something abnormal or strange, and was usually used to describe art rather than music. In this era composers learned to explore changes in volume texture and pacing. Previous musical eras could be considered harsh in contrast due to this periods focus on vocals and the vibrancy of individual instruments. In addition it is noted for it introducing instrumental harmonies, which gave the music more color and a fuller sound. And of course it was also the birthplace of opera.

**  History of Opera   **  The kind of opera that we still see today was started at the very beginning of the baroque period. Throughout this time period its popularity grew and as a business it thrived, and by 1756 marking the end of the baroque period it was considered the most popular musical genera. Operas in this period, for the most part, were based off of Greek tragedies, set to the music of well-known Italian composers. This unique combination made for more modern and appealing operas many of which have lasted through the centuries.

There are several that elements make up an opera. These being… · The chorus · The orchestra · The libretto (script or lyrics) · Performers · Costumes · Stage design The operas that have lasted have had interesting and balanced combinations of all of these elements.



Italian Opera and its Musical Composition The very idea of opera was born and raised in Italia. The first score that could be considered opera was Dafne by Jacopo Peri, which was written in 1597. But for the next decade any operas created in Italy were only to be preformed to the court. It was not until a decade later that the idea of having an opera season with tickets sold to the public was approved and the first public-attended opera was held in Venus. Throughout the baroque era there was one main and most popular form of opera, this being Opera seria. __Seria Opera__ Seria, meaning serious, is a genera of opera that dominated the baroque era. Its orchestral music structure is consistent with that of typical baroque era music, as it fallows an A-B-A format. If it were to be split up into three acts the first would introduce the theme, the second would give a complimentary theme, and the third would represent the first theme slightly more elaborately. An opera in this genera would begin with an instrument overture that introduces the setting, mood, and performance in general, in some operas near the end of the overture the chorus will join in. Then it will go into some libretto which describes the characters feelings. At times of intense passion or during the high point of the opera a musical technique called stromentato will be used. This involves the entire body of the strings accompanying a single soloist. The ending will of corse then fall back on a version of the original orchestral theme it started with. The vocalists employed for these operas were extraordinarily talented. They were mostly men who were altos and sopranos, accompanied by some tenor but very rarely a baritone. Along with them there would also be a few woman one of which being the prima donna (lead female) There was only one other rival genera of opera, this being opera opera buffa. Though almost identical in composition the main difference was the theme of this opera. In contrast to opera seria, which was serious and often tragic, this genera was comical. Therefore had lighter happier musics, and less dark libretto.

This is a example of stromentato from the famous piece Nessun Dorma media type="file" key="stromentatoe example.wav" width="304" height="37" This is an example of an opening overture by Handel, in the piece Argippina. media type="file" key="Handel overture exampel.wav" width="300" height="50"

Bibliography [].
 * Baroque Opera." //Opera//. Encyclopedia Britanica, 2009. Web. Apr 2010.


 * E. J. Dent: ‘Italian Opera in the Eighteenth Century, and its Influence on

the Music of the Classical Period’, SIMG, xiv (1912 –13), 500


 * “The Baroque Era." //Think Quest//. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May 2010.

http://library.thinkquest.org/15413/history/history-bar-voc.htm


 * The Oxford Illustrated History of Opera, ed. Roger Parker (1994).