Download MUL 2010 Cristina Verdesoto – Broward College Opera Birth of

MUL 2010
Cristina Verdesoto – Broward College
Opera
Birth of Opera
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Invented in Italy in the early 1600’s.
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The “Florentine Camerata”, which was a group of scholars, got together to device
a new type of dramatic music modeled after Greek dramas, that would enhance
the text.
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The new music was called “recitative”, which was:
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Modeled after speech. (In between melody and speech.)
Sung by a soloist
Light musical accompaniment
Homophonic (main melody and accompaniment)
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Opera was composed for ceremonial occasions at court.
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Originally aristocratic entertainment, so very fancy. Now, entertainment for
anybody.
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Performed in courts of kings, princes, etc.
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Composers were fascinated with Greek and Roman mythology and history, so
many early operas were based on it, often flattering the aristocracy.
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Display of splendor, magnificence.
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First public opera house opened in Venice in 1637.
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Many opera houses opened in Italy and the rest of Europe by the 1700’s.
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From the beginning, opera productions were very extravagant with elaborate
scenery, backdrops, costumes, special effects, etc.
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Baroque opera gave rise to virtuoso (very skilled) singers.
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Some of the most important were the castrato singers. (Boys who had been
castrated before puberty to retain their beautiful, high-pitched voices) Many
important opera parts were written for them. They were the superstars of their
time and were very well paid, more than regular singers.
Elements of Opera
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Plot (revealed through song)
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Characters
o Soloists
o Chorus
o Dancers/extras
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Scenery, lighting
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Costumes
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Special effects
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Backstage staff
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Libretto: script
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Librettist: the one who writes the libretto.
Types of opera:
Serious opera: Has serious plots, based on history, mythology. Characters are usually
kings, princes, aristocrats, gods, goddesses, etc. Sung in more formal language
Comic opera: Lighter, comic plots: love triangles common, village life. Characters are
common people, maids, villagers, peasants. Sung in the vernacular (ordinary language).
More spoken dialogue
Parts of the opera:
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An opera is divided into acts and acts are divided into scenes.
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Usually an opera has 1 to 5 acts, and each act has several (10-20 or more
scenes).
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The curtain usually comes down after each act, and that’s when people clap and
there’s a short intermission. There is no break between the scenes of an act.
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Recitative: vocal line that imitates speech. It’s sung clearly (syllabic) and moves
the action forward. Light accompaniment.
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Aria: main attraction. Emotional, ornamented section to show off singer’s
virtuosity (melismatic). Orchestral accompaniment.
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Duets, trios, quartets, chorus, instrumental sections, dance, etc.
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Operas start with overture (introduction)
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Orchestra plays in pit (below the stage).
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Operas sometimes translated or most commonly, use supertitles. (like subtitles in
a movie, but above the stage)
Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643)
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Italian singer, violist and opera composer.
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Served at the court of Mantua, northern Italy.
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Little pay or respect in early career.
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Became music director at St. Mark’s in Venice.
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Wrote sacred music for the church and secular music for aristocracy.
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Wanted to write music with intense emotion.
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Wrote 12 operas, only 3 preserved.
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Wrote the “first great opera” called “Orfeo”, composed in 1607. It was a lavish
production. Uses many kinds of music: recitatives, arias, duets, chorus,
instrumental parts.
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