RenaissanceRenaissance(1400-1600)(1400-1600)

Renaissance Renaissance (1400-1600)(1400-1600) Renaissance Who’s WhoRenaissance Who’s Who

Writers - Writers - Shakespeare & CervantesShakespeare & Cervantes Math/Science - Math/Science - Galileo, Copernicus Galileo, Copernicus Explorers – Explorers – Columbus, da GamaColumbus, da Gama Artists - Artists - Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, RaphaelMichelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael

Monarchs – Monarchs – Henry VIII, Elizabeth IHenry VIII, Elizabeth I

Music (secular) - Music (secular) - MonteverdiMonteverdi

Monteverdi Monteverdi (1567-1643)(1567-1643)

o Italian Renaissance composerItalian Renaissance composero Composed secular musicComposed secular musico Famous for his madrigalsFamous for his madrigals

MadrigalMadrigal

Renaissance secular songRenaissance secular song Originated in Italy Originated in Italy For voices, with and without accompaniment For voices, with and without accompaniment Set to a short love poemSet to a short love poem Very emotionalVery emotional Monteverdi was most famous composer in ItalyMonteverdi was most famous composer in Italy Madrigals also became popular in EnglandMadrigals also became popular in England

Monteverdi & the MadrigalMonteverdi & the Madrigal

Monteverdi: Monteverdi: Italian Renaissance ComposerItalian Renaissance Composer

Madrigal: Madrigal: – Renaissance secular song originating in Italy for voices, Renaissance secular song originating in Italy for voices,

sometimes with accompaniment, sometimes without; set to a sometimes with accompaniment, sometimes without; set to a short love poem; also popular in Englandshort love poem; also popular in England

Example: Example: A un giro solA un giro sol– RenaissanceRenaissance– Italian Italian – madrigalmadrigal– by Monteverdiby Monteverdi– word painting word painting (the music depicts the words being sung)(the music depicts the words being sung)

– very emotionalvery emotional

Madrigals were the forerunner Madrigals were the forerunner of Baroque Opera!!!of Baroque Opera!!!

Baroque (1600-1750)Baroque (1600-1750)

BAROQUE HIGHLIGHTSBAROQUE HIGHLIGHTS Opera is BornOpera is Born Masque in EnglandMasque in England Names to RememberNames to Remember

– ComposersComposers PurcellPurcell HandelHandel

– MonarchsMonarchs Louis XIV (France)Louis XIV (France)

Representative governments Representative governments – Begin replacing monarchs in N. EuropeBegin replacing monarchs in N. Europe– Off-and-on in EnglandOff-and-on in England– A result of the growing middle classA result of the growing middle class

Opera & MasqueOpera & Masque

Masque: an English performance similar to Masque: an English performance similar to a variety showa variety show– with singing, dancing, poetry and musicwith singing, dancing, poetry and music– performed for nobilityperformed for nobility

Opera: music drama sung throughoutOpera: music drama sung throughout– combines vocal and instrumental music with combines vocal and instrumental music with

poetry and drama, acting and pantomime, poetry and drama, acting and pantomime, scenery and costumesscenery and costumes

– subject matter from history or mythologysubject matter from history or mythology– performed for nobility performed for nobility

Opera ElementsOpera Elements

Libretto: Libretto: the text/script of the opera written by a the text/script of the opera written by a librettist who works closely with the composerlibrettist who works closely with the composer

Overture: Overture: instrumental introduction to the opera; instrumental introduction to the opera; often contains main themes used in the operaoften contains main themes used in the opera

Recitative: Recitative: a sort of sung speech which moves the a sort of sung speech which moves the plot alongplot along

Aria: Aria: the beautiful solo songs in the opera; they stop the beautiful solo songs in the opera; they stop the motion/plot and reflect on moments of great emotionthe motion/plot and reflect on moments of great emotion

Ensembles: Ensembles: duet (2), trio (3), quartet (4), quintet (5), duet (2), trio (3), quartet (4), quintet (5), sextet (6), chorussextet (6), chorus

Opera - Dido and AeneasOpera - Dido and Aeneas Dido’s Lament Dido’s Lament

– Example of recitative and ariaExample of recitative and aria– Purcell is composerPurcell is composer– Ostinato (repeated descending bass)Ostinato (repeated descending bass)– Subject from Greek mythology and adapted by Subject from Greek mythology and adapted by

Roman poet, VirgilRoman poet, Virgil

With drooping wings ye cupids comeWith drooping wings ye cupids come– Example of opera chorusExample of opera chorus– Purcell is composerPurcell is composer– Chorus acts like Greek chorus Chorus acts like Greek chorus (commenting on the (commenting on the

opera characters to the audience)opera characters to the audience)

– Subject from Greek-Roman mythologySubject from Greek-Roman mythology

Pre-Classical Opera BuffaPre-Classical Opera Buffa Opera Buffa (comic opera)Opera Buffa (comic opera)

– developed as the middle class grewdeveloped as the middle class grew The Beggar’s Opera The Beggar’s Opera (1728)(1728)

– An Opera Buffa An Opera Buffa – in Englandin England– Written by John GayWritten by John Gay– A satire of serious operaA satire of serious opera– Written for the middle classWritten for the middle class– Contained familiar folk/popular tunesContained familiar folk/popular tunes– Main characters were highwaymen, Main characters were highwaymen,

pickpockets, and slutspickpockets, and sluts– Contained spoken dialogue instead of Contained spoken dialogue instead of

recitativerecitative

Example – “Why How Now, Example – “Why How Now, Madam Flirt”Madam Flirt”

The Beggar’s Opera was really the first operetta The Beggar’s Opera was really the first operetta but 130 ahead of its time!but 130 ahead of its time!

Classical Classical (1750-1825)(1750-1825)

Monarchs vs. RevolutionsMonarchs vs. Revolutions

Classical OperaClassical Opera

OperaOpera – – most important type of musical entertainmentmost important type of musical entertainment

2 Types of Opera2 Types of Opera– Opera SeriaOpera Seria: serious opera : serious opera

Plots of historical kings & Plots of historical kings & queens or gods & goddessesqueens or gods & goddessesof ancient Greece and Romeof ancient Greece and Rome

appealed to the upper classappealed to the upper class

– Opera BuffaOpera Buffa: comic opera: comic opera Plots of common peoplePlots of common people More popular tunes and satire (making fun of opera More popular tunes and satire (making fun of opera

seria)seria) Appealed to growing middle Appealed to growing middle

classclassWolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Mozart - most important Composer of both!Mozart - most important Composer of both!

Mozart & Opera BuffaMozart & Opera Buffa Mozart’s ContributionsMozart’s Contributions

– EleganceElegance Beautiful melodies & sophisticated harmoniesBeautiful melodies & sophisticated harmonies

– Character developmentCharacter development Real emotionsReal emotions Situations that provide the comedy Situations that provide the comedy

Example: Example: Act I Scenes 6 & 7Act I Scenes 6 & 7

– Opera BuffaOpera Buffa– By MozartBy Mozart– Aria + Recitative + TrioAria + Recitative + Trio– From From The Marriage of FigaroThe Marriage of Figaro– Plot about 2 common servantsPlot about 2 common servants– Involves a trouser roleInvolves a trouser role

Opera and Operetta SplitOpera and Operetta Split

Opera Seria

Opera Seria

Grand & Lyric Opera

Madrigal

Opera Buffa

Opera Comique(Operetta)

Beggar’s Opera

Renaissance

Baroque

Classical

Pre-Classical

Romantic

Romantic PeriodRomantic Period1800-19001800-1900

Romantic OperaRomantic OperaNational Trends in OperaNational Trends in Opera ItalyItaly

– Opera seria: Opera seria: in Italian with recitativein Italian with recitative

– Opera buffa: Opera buffa: in Italian with recitativein Italian with recitative Big composer: VerdiBig composer: Verdi

Germany Germany – Music drama: Music drama: Germany’s version of opera with Germany’s version of opera with

German legends as subject; sung in GermanGerman legends as subject; sung in German Big composer: WagnerBig composer: Wagner

– Singspiel: Singspiel: Germany’s version of opera buffa; Germany’s version of opera buffa; sung in German with spoken dialoguesung in German with spoken dialogue

Romantic Opera Romantic Opera (continued)(continued)

France France – Grand opera: like opera seriaGrand opera: like opera seria

spectacle + history/mythology subjectspectacle + history/mythology subject

– Opera comique (operetta!):Opera comique (operetta!): comical comical like opera buffalike opera buffa

smaller castssmaller casts spoken text replaces recitativespoken text replaces recitative often satire of opera seriaoften satire of opera seria

– Lyric OperaLyric Opera somewhere between grand opera and opera somewhere between grand opera and opera

comiquecomique example would be example would be Carmen Carmen by Bizetby Bizet

Operetta takes HoldOperetta takes HoldFrance - France - Opera comique/operettaOpera comique/operetta ((continued)……continued)……

– Example – Example – Orpheus in the Underworld Orpheus in the Underworld (1858)(1858)

GallopGallopBy OffenbachBy OffenbachOperetta/Operetta/

opera comique opera comiqueRomantic periodRomantic periodFranceFranceSatireSatireHad some Had some

popular songs popular songs

This is really where operetta takes hold!This is really where operetta takes hold!

Operetta Travels toOperetta Travels to

Vienna, AustriaVienna, Austria Johann Strauss, Jr.Johann Strauss, Jr.

– Nicknamed Nicknamed The Waltz KingThe Waltz King Famous for writing waltzes Famous for writing waltzes (i.e., (i.e., The Blue Danube)The Blue Danube)

Waltz: a dance in threeWaltz: a dance in three– Was very popular during this period, especially in Was very popular during this period, especially in

ViennaVienna Strauss built operettas around popular dances like Strauss built operettas around popular dances like

the waltz and the polkathe waltz and the polka Example - Example - Die Fledermaus Die Fledermaus (1874)(1874)

The Laughing SongThe Laughing Song Coloratura aria Coloratura aria (with fluid trills & runs)(with fluid trills & runs) Lush orchestration and full harmoniesLush orchestration and full harmonies A waltzA waltz Maintains some opera traditions, like trouser roleMaintains some opera traditions, like trouser role

Operetta Travels Further Operetta Travels Further to to PraguePrague (now the Czech Republic)(now the Czech Republic)

Franz LehárFranz Lehár– Example: Example: Love UnspokenLove Unspoken

From From The Merry Widow The Merry Widow (1905)(1905) Queen of OperettasQueen of Operettas DuetDuet A waltzA waltz Lovely, lyrical melodiesLovely, lyrical melodies Used popular themes & Used popular themes &

fashions of the dayfashions of the day

The Merry Widow The Merry Widow became extremely popular in Europebecame extremely popular in Europe

Operetta Travels Back toOperetta Travels Back to

EnglandEngland

Gilbert & SullivanGilbert & Sullivan– Unique British Operetta styleUnique British Operetta style– They wrote 14 operettas togetherThey wrote 14 operettas together

Used British satireUsed British satire Catchy numbersCatchy numbers Simple harmoniesSimple harmonies Big use of chorusBig use of chorus

– Example: Example: We Sail the Ocean BlueWe Sail the Ocean Blue Male chorus from Male chorus from HMS Pinafore (1878)HMS Pinafore (1878)

– Example: Example: Overture, Overture, from from Pirates of Penzance (1879)Pirates of Penzance (1879)

Operetta Travels Overseas to the Operetta Travels Overseas to the

United StatesUnited States Essentially kept EuropeanEssentially kept European

operetta traditions with an operetta traditions with an American flairAmerican flair

Victor HerbertVictor Herbert– Born in Dublin (Ireland), Born in Dublin (Ireland), – Educated in Vienna (Austria)Educated in Vienna (Austria)– Example: Example: A Kiss in the DarkA Kiss in the Dark

From From Orange Blossoms (1921)Orange Blossoms (1921) AriaAria WaltzWaltz Lyric melodyLyric melody

Why Operetta Lost PopularityWhy Operetta Lost PopularityPROBLEMS:PROBLEMS: Written for popular scenes of the dayWritten for popular scenes of the day

– Doesn’t make sense to today’s crowdDoesn’t make sense to today’s crowd If libretto is “updated,” essence of the piece is lostIf libretto is “updated,” essence of the piece is lost If performed in opera crowd there are some If performed in opera crowd there are some

projection issues because of spoken textprojection issues because of spoken text American musical theatre became popular in 1920s American musical theatre became popular in 1920s

and replaced operettaand replaced operetta– Contained more rustic themes, vaudeville, burlesque, etc.Contained more rustic themes, vaudeville, burlesque, etc.– Rooted in American culture rather than European traditionRooted in American culture rather than European tradition

Still very popular in EuropeStill very popular in Europe– Are part of the regular opera seasonsAre part of the regular opera seasons

Most U.S. opera houses include an occasional Most U.S. opera houses include an occasional operettaoperetta

Map of Europe 1850Map of Europe 1850

Gay

Offenbach

Strauss

Lehár

Gilbert & Sullivan

United States

Herbert

Operetta Travels (1858-1921)

OperettaOperettao light music drama light music drama o some spoken dialoguesome spoken dialogueo combines vocal music and orchestracombines vocal music and orchestra

o has overturehas overtureo has arias, duets, trios, etc.has arias, duets, trios, etc.

o combines poetry, drama, acting, pantomimecombines poetry, drama, acting, pantomimeo scenery and costumesscenery and costumeso subject matter is comical, satirical or lightheartedsubject matter is comical, satirical or lightheartedo subject & fashions were popular during that subject & fashions were popular during that

time & for that regiontime & for that regiono music written in Romantic operatic stylesmusic written in Romantic operatic styleso typically performed for the general publictypically performed for the general publico often very popular with middle class of the timeoften very popular with middle class of the time

OperaOperao music dramamusic dramao sung throughout (recitative instead of spoken sung throughout (recitative instead of spoken

dialogue)dialogue)o combines vocal music and orchestracombines vocal music and orchestra

o has overturehas overtureo has arias, duets, trios, etc.has arias, duets, trios, etc.

o combines poetry, drama, acting, pantomimecombines poetry, drama, acting, pantomimeo scenery and costumesscenery and costumeso subject matter is typically taken from historical subject matter is typically taken from historical

characters or mythologycharacters or mythologyo music written in operatic styles of the daymusic written in operatic styles of the dayo Was typically performed for the noble classWas typically performed for the noble class

o Today for all audiencesToday for all audiences

Operetta vs. OperaOperetta vs. OperaOPERETTAOPERETTA

Light music dramaLight music dramaSome spoken dialogueSome spoken dialogue

Subject matter tends to be light-Subject matter tends to be light-hearted, comical or satirical and hearted, comical or satirical and tended to be in the fashions of the tended to be in the fashions of the time and unique to each regiontime and unique to each region

Music written in Romantic operatic Music written in Romantic operatic styles styles (except for Beggar’s Opera)(except for Beggar’s Opera)

Typically performed for the general Typically performed for the general public public (popular with middle class)(popular with middle class)

Combines poetry, drama, acting, Combines poetry, drama, acting, pantomimepantomime

Combines vocal music and orchestra -Combines vocal music and orchestra -has overture, arias, duets, trios, etc.has overture, arias, duets, trios, etc.

OPERAOPERA

Music dramaMusic drama

Sung throughout (recitative instead of Sung throughout (recitative instead of spoken dialogue)spoken dialogue)

Subject matter tends to be from Subject matter tends to be from historical characters or mythologyhistorical characters or mythology

Music written in the operatic styles of Music written in the operatic styles of the day the day (ie., Marriage of Figaro)(ie., Marriage of Figaro)

Typically performed for the noble Typically performed for the noble (upper) classes(upper) classes

Combines poetry, drama, acting, Combines poetry, drama, acting, pantomimepantomime

Combines vocal music and orchestra -Combines vocal music and orchestra -has overture, arias, duets, trios, etc.has overture, arias, duets, trios, etc.

Operetta vs. MusicalOperetta vs. Musical Operetta: light operaOperetta: light opera

– More melismaticMore melismatic

– Wider rangeWider range

– Legit singingLegit singing

– Some spoken dialogueSome spoken dialogue

– Requires singers who can Requires singers who can act and dance minimallyact and dance minimally

– Subject matter light-Subject matter light-hearted, comical, satirical hearted, comical, satirical including fashions of the including fashions of the dayday

– Appealed to middle classAppealed to middle class

Musical: a play with singingMusical: a play with singing– SyllabicSyllabic– Narrower rangeNarrower range– Legit & belt or popular Legit & belt or popular

singingsinging– Lots of spoken dialogueLots of spoken dialogue– Requires actors who can Requires actors who can

sing & dancesing & dance– Subject matter comical, Subject matter comical,

sometimes dealing with sometimes dealing with issues of the day or dealing issues of the day or dealing with any topic at allwith any topic at all

– Appealed to middle & lower Appealed to middle & lower middle classmiddle class

The End