MUTH 211 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Aria, Pietro Metastasio, Castrato
12 Mar 2016
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More coloratura (fast scales and arpeggios) singers improvised extra ornaments and cadenzas (cadenzas made by the singer improvisation) Form clearer difference between aria and recitative standard scene structure: recitative aria character exits arias and scenes were more standardized all arias were in the same form: da capo form. Aria and affect arias still categorized by affect (eg. lament, rage, etc. ) one affect per aria (view of emotions: human beings can only experience emotion one at a time) Aria texts not tailored to the particular dramatic situation not very dramatic, not mentioning a character or situation a poetic reflection singers had the ability to cut and paste. Orchestra includes more special instruments, eg. oboes, bassoons, trumpets arias with obbligato instrument (solo instrument) Opera seria: baroque performance practice role of the stage director did not exist naturalistic acting is a 20th century idea.
