Definitions
Define Absolute Monarchy
A form of government where a single monarch holds unrestricted power.
Who wrote "Messiah"?
Handel
Toccata and Fugue in D Minor was written by WHO and for WHAT instrument?
Bach, Organ
Define and explain Basso Continuo
Continuous Bass. A bass line used to underpin text and propel the music forward.
Where was the first public opera house built?
Define Mercantilism
The use of trade to boost economic power and growth
This composer did not write operas, which was uncharacteristic for the time period.
Bach
Who wrote "The Four Seasons"?
Antonio Vivaldi
Define Ornamentation
A singer's personal touch to music by not singing exactly what's written on the page. "The metaphorical Christmas ornaments on the musical Christmas tree"
What was the Florentine Camerata?
What are 2 words to describe the Baroque Era?
Extravagant and dramatic
Who wrote "L'Orfeo", the opera known as the "first opera"?
Monteverdi
Name 2 songs from Handel's Messiah Part 1 (Hint: There are 21 songs in Part 1 and the Hallelujah Chorus is not one)
Define and explain the difference between Opera Seria and Opera Buffa
Opera Seria: Serious opera that emphasizes drama and tragedy
Opera Buffa: Comedic opera that emphasizes light-hearted fun and unserious topics
Why did composers change the musical texture of their longer works? Bonus points if you can give an example.
To keep the audience engaged, emphasize text, and help tell the story. Example: Handel's Messiah
Explain the following phrase: "Not all that's gilt is gold" and explain how it relates to the socioeconomic state of Europe during the Baroque Era.
Not everything is as it seems. Gilt refers to something being coated in gold-leaf, while Gold refers to something being solid gold. In the Baroque Era, the widening socioeconomic gap created a large imbalance of power and wealth. Because of this, the nobility and royalty lived lavishly while the rest of the population lived very poorly. This gave these countries a false sense of prosperity.
This Classical Era composer reorchestrated "Messiah" for more modernized instruments.
Mozart
Libretto: the text that a composer sets to music
Score: the music created by the composer
Define Text-Painting
A composer's use of music to convey the literal meaning of the text
What did Bach have to say about beauty and complexity in regards to music?
There is beauty in complexity.
Define Musical Durability
A piece of music's ability to stand the test of time
What are Handel, Bach, and Monteverdi's full names?
George Frideric Handel, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Claudio Monteverdi
Johann Sebastian Bach wrote a Passion based on which Biblical figures telling of Jesus' crucifixion? (Hint: New Testament)
Matthew
What is the difference between a cantata, an oratorio, and an opera?
A cantata is a smaller vocal work that uses religious text, instrumentalists, a chorus, and soloists.
An oratorio is a mid-sized vocal work that uses religious text, instrumentalists, sometimes a chorus, and soloists but lacks scenery, costuming, and acting.
An opera is a large-scale work that can use religious or secular text, instrumentalists, a chorus, soloists, scenery, costuming, and acting.
What are the subjects of the following musical pieces?
Requiem, Passion, Messiah (part 1)
Requiem: Catholic Death mass based on the Catholic liturgy
Passion: The story of Christ's crucifixion as told by the Bible
Messiah (part 1): The prophecy and birth of Christ