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Orchestra/Johnsen/Music History/2015
Name:________________________________per:______
Orfeo, 1607: 1st Opera, written by Claudio Monterverdi, in Mantua,
Italy
The Gonzaga family are the patrons: son Vincenzo Gonzago paid
Monteverdi to write this opera
You are watching a performance conducted by Jordi Savall, (BTW: a
very famous solo gambist)
1. Toccata:
Look at all the instruments:
Circle all the instruments that you see and hear: The list has extra
instruments in it
Tuba, piano, violins, cellos, violas, lutes, harps, clarinets, oboes,
trumpets, French horns, viola da gambas, harps, chitarones,
harpsichords
2. The first singer that you see is the narrator: She tells the story
of Orpheus. _______________ is the musical style that she is
singing in.(It’s in your notes!) The story of Orpheus is a great
vehicle for music.
Orpheus has to convince Charonte (or Hades) to let him go
down into hell to bring his new bride Eurydice back to the
surface. He convinces him by singing beautifully. (You won’t
see this today.)
3. In between the verses, the orchestra plays a part that keeps
coming back: It is called the Ritornello: Why do you think it is
called the
4.
5.
6.
7.
ritornello?___________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________
How many times is it played?_____________
The dancers are doing baroque dance but it not really notated
anywhere. In other words, a choreographer made them up
using baroque steps. Everyone is in Greek garb. What dance
motion evokes Greek
mythology?__________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Orpheus is carrying a ______________. Why is that?__
At one point the lyrics say that something that is incorrect
scientifically regarding astronomy. What is it?
. Draw a picture of something that interests you from the opera! See
you tomorrow with your instruments!