MUS 048 Chapter Notes - Chapter 8: Aria, Figured Bass, Recitative
25 Sep 2017
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Document Summary
Opera - drama presented in music, with characters singing instead of speaking - often called the most characteristic art form of baroque period. Combined many different arts: not only music, drama, and poetry but also dancing, highly elaborate scene design and spectacular special effects. Machines were contrived to portray gods descending to earth, shipwrecks, volcanos, and all kinds of natural and supernatural phenomenon. Scene designers received top billing, ahead of composers. Opera began in florence; early operas were court entertainments put on to celebrate royal weddings and such. Important step was taken in 1637 with opening of first public opera theatre. Soon became leading form of entertainment in whole of italy. By end of century, 7 opera houses fulfilled much the same function as movie theatres in comparable modern city. Opera was perfect answer to general desire in early baroque era to portray individual emotion.
