Opera Beginnings
Opera was first heard during this time period
Renaissance
This composer wrote that the drama should be the most important element in an opera
Christoph Willibald Gluck
Despite writing only one opera, this composer is the crucial figure for Romantic music
Ludwig van Beethoven
Expressionism
This is the instrumental opening of an opera prior to the beginning of the first act
Overture
This is the highest male voice, most often the leading role.
Tenor
This small group of artists, statesmen, writers, and musicians wanted to recreate the storytelling of Greek drama with music
Florentine Camerata
What were seen as issues with opera seria during the Classical era
Embellishments on behalf of well trained singers
Visually striking performances as a replacement of drama
This type of opera was popular during the Romantic era
rescue opera
This composer wrote Bluebeard's Castle
Bela Bartok
This is the text that is intended to be used as an opera
Libretto
This is the highest female voice, most often the lead female role.
This type of opera deals with serious and historical themes
opera seria
What are some characteristics of a classical opera
simplicity, bigger dynamics, advancements of instruments and music
This composer set new standards for comic and serious operas
Gioachino Rossini
This composer wrote atonal and expressionist music. Composed the opera Elektra
Richard Strauss
This is a solo melody performed with an accompaniment
Aria
This is the most common male voice type. A male who sings this vocal range can play either a hero or a villain
Baritone
This type of opera is a comedy or scenes from daily life.
opera buffa
This composer is the crucial figure for developing classical opera
W.A. Mozart
This composer wrote the libretto and the music for his operas
Richard Wagner
This means that no note is the main idea, and the other notes are not related to each other
Atonal
This is when the performer imitates the rhythm of the spoken word, usually sung on a repeated note or just a few notes with no melody
Recitative
This is a middle range voice for women, and acts as a replacement for altos in an opera
Mezzo-Soprano
This French composer developed a new form of opera called tragedie lyrique
Jean-Baptiste Lully
Singspiel
Musical themes associated with a specific character, place, or plot element
Leitmotif
This means that one note is the main idea, and the other notes are related to the main note
Tonal
This is a short instrumental refrain or interlude that recurs throughout the opera
Ritornello
This voice type is sung by a male trained to sing high notes
Counter-Tenor
The earliest complete opera that is still performed today
L'Orfeo by Claudio Monteverdi
This composer influenced German opera composers that came after him, as well as 20th century composers
Carl Maria von Weber
Operas that talked about the average person and problems facing them were called this
Verismo