lecture notes

MUSIC HISTORY & LIT I: CHAPTER 14

The Invention of Opera

Opera

■ Brought music, poetry, drama, stagecraft together in one performance

■ New or collaboration? – Opera was a new creation that combined existing art

■ Originated in the courts around 1600, reinvented around 1650 in Venice for ticket buying public performances

■ Combination of action and affections – Dramatic, expressed emotion

Early Opera Video

https://northwestu- my.sharepoint.com/:v:/g/personal/naomi_fanshier_northwestu_edu/EWCRGZ6ko0hCpASvvbmyPs 0BNK8fVbnyqZyUyJ4XcyrQKg?e=Vedhzk

Claudio Monteverdi ■ Composer prodigy

– Published 2 volumes of sacred music by 16, and 3 books of madigrals in his early 20s

■ Played the viol and viola

■ 1590: entered the service of the Duke of Mantua, appointed master of music

– Married a court singer, Claudia Cattaneo

■ Claudia died young, leaving Monteverdi to care for their 3 young children

– Monteverdi suffered a nervous breakdown, overworked and underpaid

■ Monteverdi was dismissed from Mantua in 1612, but in 1613 became the maestro di cappella at St. Mark's in Venice, the most prestigious musical post in Italy

– Remained there for 30 years until his death

■ Known for his emotional and colorful concertato

Operatic Terms/Inventions

■ Recitative

■ Sinfonia (overture)

■ Impresario

■ Castrati

■ Libretto/librettist

Recitative

Recitative Example

Opera in Florence/Rome ■ Marco da Gagliano – employed by the Medici's and wrote several

operas (early Baroque)

■ Francesca Caccini – female composer who wrote The Liberation of Ruggiero from the Island of Alcina (1625): included ballet, a prologue, a sinfonia, everything – Became the highest paid musician/composer of dramatic music

of the time

■ Recitative and aria became the most defined solo genres of the opera – Arioso: a style of solo work that was recitative with melody (aria)

thrown in

■ Standardized the opening sinfonia (overture)

■ Not quite a public art form yet

Opera in Venice

■ 1637 – Teatro San Cassiano opened, first public opera house – Funded both by patronage and public ticket sales

■ Venice attracted diverse crowds who were enthusiastic about public performances

■ By 1678, Venice had 9 public opera houses

■ Focus on diva and prima donna

■ Francesco Cavalli – leading composer in Venice from 1639-1673. He wrote 30+ operas and is best known for perserving his own scores.

Opera as an Influence

■ Emphasis on dramatic – from music to costumes

■ Most 17th century operas only lasted a season. Those that lasted multiple seasons were considered exceptional. (Monteverdi)

■ Continuously evolving

■ Opera styles began to appear in church music, vocal chamber music, and instrumental music

Dramatic?

■ Opera greatly influenced musical art forms that are considered dramatic. What music do we have today that can be considered dramatic?