History Quiz April 14Th

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Aria form beginning of 18th C

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I (ritornello) I-V(A1) V(Ritornello) VorI(ritornello) I(ritonello/fine)

Da Capo (vi)

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2. Who was Alessandro Scarlatti? In what genres did he write?

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leading opera composer works important in Rome and Naples.
Used recitative and da capo aria pairs varied.
Wrote more than 600 Cantatas.

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In what city was Handel born?

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Handel was born in Halle, Germany.

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In Handel’s youth, what German city provided his exposure to opera?

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Hamburg exposed him to Opera.

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Where was Handel from 1706-1710?

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1706-10 Traveled to Italy studied with leading patrons and musicians of Florence, Rome, Naples, and Venice.

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What genre most occupied Handel from the 1710s to 1730s? What was the name of the company that supported his efforts for a time?

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From the 1710s=30s Handel wrote Italian Operas for London Theaters.

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8. What is the difference between recitativo semplice (simple recitative) and recitativo accompagnato (accompanied recitative)? What determines where which type is used?

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Recitativo Semplice Simple Recitative. Accompanied only by basso continuo set stretches of dialogue or monologue in as speech-like a fashion as possible.
Recitativo accompagnato Accompanied Recitative used stirring and impressive orchestral outbursts to dramatize tense situations. Reinforced the rapid changes of emotion in the dialogue and punctuated the singer's phrases.
One or both types of recitative are FREELY COMBINED with arias, ariosas and orchestral passages to make larger scene complexes. Interweaves these elements so plots continues to move forward.

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9. Who was Farinelli?

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Farinelli-the most famous castrati in all operatic capitals of Europe.

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10. Who was Pietro Metastasio?

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Pietro Metastasio-librettist 18th century dramas set to music hundreds of times. Court poet oin Vienna. Heroic operas. Intended to promote morality through entertainment and to present models of merciful and enlightened rulers. Resolution of drama usually has a happy ending, turns on heroic deed or forgiveness.

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11. What is the usual structure of a scene in opera seria?

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Three acts of Opera Seria consist of alternating recitatives and arias. Recitatives promote the action through dialogue while each aria is virtual dramatic soliloquy in which a principal actor gives vent to an overriding emotion or reaction to preceeding scene. Focus is on the aria.

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1. What is the stile antico?

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Stile Antico-the old contrapuntal style associated with Palestrina.

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2. With what composer is the polychoral motet (or “sacred concerto”) most closely associated? Did he invent it?

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Polychoral motet "Sacred Concerto" most associated with Giovanni Gabbrieli. Grandly large scale proportions of choruses and instruments.

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3. What is the “concerto for few voices”?

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"Concerto for few voices" 1,2,3 solo voices sang to the accompaniment of an organ continuo, average churchgoer would have heard this. Performance during mass. replacing motet.

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4. Where does the name oratorio come from?

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Oratorio-most often performed during the Lenten season in the oratory, part of a church where groups of faithful met to hear sermons and sing devotional songs in keeping with the reforming spirit of the Council of Trent.

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5. In what ways were oratorios like contemporary operas? In what ways did the two genres differ?

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Oratorios SIMILAR-both use recitatives, arias, duets, instrumental preludes and ritornellos.
Different-subject always religious. Seldom staged. Action described or suggested. Often a narrator. Chorus could take different roles, from participating in dramatic dialogue to meditating on or narrating events. Oratorio librettos in Italian or Latin.

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6. When did Heinrich Schütz travel to Italy, and whom did he work with there?

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Heinrich Schutz traveled to Italy to complete his musical education BUT WHEN?. Studied with Gabrieli.

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7. At what court chapel did Schütz work for the majority of his career?

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Chapel master for Elector's court in Dresden.

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8. What was the Thirty Years’ War and when did it take place? (Look this up in an encyclopedia article.) How did the war affect the music Schütz wrote?

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Thirty Years War. Fought mainly in Germany 1618 - 1648. Conflict between Protestant and Catholics in Holy Roman Empire.
Economic pressure from the war made him leave for Italy.
Dresden court chapel under financial strain, went to Denmark instead.
Left-total disarray, ensemble reduced and not paid. had to leave.

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9. Where were Handel’s oratorios performed? What was the “added attraction”?

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Handel's Oratorios were performed in England in a Theaters. King's Theater. Premiered the Messiah in Dublin Ireland.The added attraction was Handel's performances of an organ concerto or improvised at the organ.