3.11 Baroque Vocal Music

Cantata

a piece of moderate length for voices and instruments

3 musical institutions of Baroque vocal music

church, court, opera house

Coloratura

singing technique with "fast, brilliant runs, scales, high notes, vocal cadenzas, all stressing technique" (showed off virtuosos)

Opera seria

serious opera with plots derived from ancient history

Secco recitative

"dry" recitative with only continuo accompaniment

Accompanied recitative

recitative with some type of orchestra accompaniment

Affects

emotions

Castrati

men with alto or soprano ranges due to young castration, often singing in churches

Oratorio

Sacred vocab music, basically opera without scenery, costumes, or acting, and with a chorus

Chorale

Lutheran hymns, commonly memorized