MUS111 - Baroque Period, Opera

Baroque Meaning

Extravagant, flamboyant, elaborately ornamented. A term used to describe the arts during the period 1600-1750.

Sacred music

For religious services

Secular music

For entertainment

Baroque Period

Rise of drama and overall theatrical quality achieved by vivid contrasts, such as grand vs. small and extraordinary vs. ordinary

Musical components during the baroque era

rhythm, melody, texture

Rhythm during the Baroque Era

Continuous, rhythmic patterns dominate drive and energy

Melody during the Baroque Era

Continuous, unfolding, unwinding, ornamented. 

Sequence

Repetition of a musical idea.

Textures of the Baroque Era

Polyphonic, homophonic.

Opera

Introduced around 1600 in Italy and offered a spectacular stage, architecture, acting, and singing. Composed for court ceremonies.

Musical components of Opera

Text

Text is also known as this in Opera

Libretto (“little book”)

Opera can be…

Serious, comic, or both

Orchestra

Provides the prelude to opera.

Recitative and Aria

The two types of solo songs