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J - MUSIC 101 > Romantic Opera > Flashcards

Flashcards in Romantic Opera Deck (26)
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1
Q

When is the Romantic era?

A

1825-1910.

2
Q

Why was Rossini popular throughout Europe?

A

Graceful, ornate melody with infectious, driving rhythm (Rossini crescendo). Still largely Classical (recite/aria).

3
Q

Rossini Crescendo

A

Not only increasing volume, but also rhythmic quickening and textural thickening, with register change.

4
Q

The Age of Beethoven and Rossini

A

Phrase used by Austrian music historian. Summation of early romanticism. Implies disparity.

5
Q

What is the implied disparity in the Age of Beethoven and Rossini?

A

Beethoven was serious, intense, and ambitious while Rossini was “Buffa,” frivolous, entertaining, and commercially successful.

6
Q

When was there a split between “serious” and “popular” music?

A

The Age of Beethoven and Rossini.

7
Q

In the Age of Beethoven and Rossini, there was a split between…

A

Serious and popular music.

8
Q

Does opera in the early Romantic era fall in serious or popular music?

A

Popular.

9
Q

Opera, just as the symphony, became more ___ over time.

A

Serious.

10
Q

What changed with opera’s in the mid-19th century?

A

More ambitious, serious opera. Desire for realism.

11
Q

Music profound above all arts. What does this romantic ideal mean?

A
  • Not simply mimetic, doesn’t have to represent things.

- Not a vehicle for spectacle, but for a meaningful message.

12
Q

Who dominated Italian opera from the 1840’s onward?

A

Giuseppe Verdi.

13
Q

All of Verdi’s operas are ___.

A

Serious. Most end in the death of one or more of the leading characters.

14
Q

Style of Verdi’s operas:

A
  • Orchestra larger, more involved.
  • Almost no dry (secco) recitative.
  • Subtler distinction between recite/aria (greater continuity).
  • Voices still central (bel canto) – beautiful, expressive melodies.
15
Q

Bel Canto

A

Voices central, beautiful and expressive melodies.

16
Q

Ensemble

A

“Together,” several characters interact dramatically and musically. Not new to Verdi, Classical comic opera (buffs), Mozart.

17
Q

Characteristics of ensembles:

A
  • Fully developed musical pisces.
  • Advance the plot – characters interacting dramatically and musically.
  • Musical-emotional polyphony.
18
Q

What is known as musical-emotional polyphony?

A

Ensembles.

19
Q

___ quartet is one of the greatest examples of a 19th-century ensemble.

A

Rigoletto.

20
Q

Rigoletto

A

Story from a play by Victor Hugo. Politically risky theme of corruption. Rigoletto, hunchbacked jester to womanizing Duke, has a beautiful daughter, whom he’s kept a secret. Fake has learned of her and she’s fallen for him in disguise. Rigoletto seeks revenge and hires an assassin. Assassin lures Duke to a decrepit inn with his sister.

21
Q

Puccini

A

Last great composer of Italian opera. Pulled from various influences.

22
Q

What did Puccini borrow from Verdi?

A

Importance of singer, melody, drama.

23
Q

What did Puccini borrow from Wagner?

A

Orchestral colour, leitmotifs.

24
Q

Lines between recitative and aria are completely cleared in ___’s operas.

A

Puccini.

25
Q

Whose operas was characterized by realism mitigated by exoticism?

A

Puccini.

26
Q

Whose operas included psychological states, specifically the hopeless, co-dependant woman?

A

Puccini.

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