MUS 10A Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Castrato, Ritornello, Trombone
Document Summary
Own opera opinion: giant story musical, but very difficult to understand what the text is about. Early opera wasn"t a genre yet, it was in the process of being created. Duke knows good singers so they get the best of the best for their productions. Castrati: boys who were castrated so they can keep their high voices before puberty. Odd because the production is made for a small, private audience (music academy) Continuo: driving force of motion and harmony. Toccata: marks beginning of opera, plays three times to signify importance, also signifies entrance of the duke. Usually telling story, so it"s easier to just one voice than five. Based on greek myths or greek/roman history. Acting + singing, so it was more entertaining. Catholics allowed to perform operas during lent, leads to oratorio opera. Since operas were secular, church goers would give up operas during lent. Operas premiered on weddings, for the very wealthy.
