THA 3308 Study Guide - Final Guide: William Wycherley, Ben Jonson, Playwright
Document Summary
The text of an opera, called the libretto, is often secondary to the music. Key figure in the history of opera was the italian alessandro scarlatti, who established the supremacy of the aria. One of the great composer of 18th century opera was wolfgang amadeus mozart. He brought comic opera to the peak of perfection. 19th century was the era of grand opera: major works with powerful melodic arias and full choral and orchestral elements. Two of the best known composers in this form are richard wagner (1813-1883), a german composer and italian composer. Giuseppe verdi (1813-1901): de architectura: roman text on architecture that deals extensively with theatre design. Historians believe that the earliest designs in italy during the late 1400"s were attempts to create a roman stage and to replicate vitruvius"s suggestions for comic, tragic, and pastoral setting: teatro olimpico : located in vicenza, italy.
