Society
In this time period, the European government was mostly led by these types of rulers, who have absolute power over their people.
What are monarchs?
This style is very similar to opera, but doesn't feature any sets, staging, or costumes.
What is oratorio?
The trombone once went by this awkward sounding name.
What is the sackbut?
Opera was generally a very serious art form, but occasionally you would have operas called this, which were lighthearted and had happy endings.
What is opera buffa?
This composer created "The Messiah", the most famous oratorio of all time.
Who is George Frederich Handel?
This form of theatre became a primary source of entertainment for the wealthy and "common" folk alike.
What is opera?
Not all music during this time has a plot like an opera or oratorio. There was also this type of music, referring to compositions in several movements for one to eight instruments.
What is a sonata?
Nowadays, the flute is held out to the side, but in the Baroque period, the first flutes were actually held in a manner similar to this instrument.
What is the oboe/clarinet/recorder?
This term refers to the author of an opera's text, AKA the libretto.
What is a librettist?
This Italian composer is most known for his piece "The Four Seasons", especially spring.
Who is Antonio Vivaldi?
While these musical advancements were happening in Europe, this continent was being colonized.
What is America/the Americas?
Melodies in the Baroque period begin using this technique, which involves repeating the melody slightly higher or lower.
What is a sequence?
After the harpsichord, a new instrument was created. Nowadays, we simply call it the piano, but it once had this slightly longer name.
What is the pianoforte?
Opera began as a new form of theatre based on this ancient society's theatre.
Who are the Greeks?
This composer is considered the greatest English composer from the 16th to the 19th centuries.
Who is Henry Purcell?
In the Baroque period, there is an increased societal importance for those who are incredibly skilled in their craft. At this time, these people were called this term.
What is virtuoso?
To create extreme emotions, composers utilize this technique, which involves creating intentional clashes between notes.
What is dissonance?
The key innovation separating the Baroque trumpet from the modern trumpet is the addition of this crucial tool.
What are valves?
This term refers to one of the two types of songs in opera, specifically the kind which focuses on delivering dialogue. It does not feature the orchestra playing underneath the singer as is traditional.
What is recitative?
Though he was not famous during his lifetime, this composer is now easily the most famous composer of the Baroque period.
Who is J. S. Bach?
Each major European city has several of these to keep spreading the art form. For example, Venice had 17 of these at one point.
What are opera houses?
Though vocal music decreased in prominence, it did not go away. For example, there were these types of songs, which were simple vocal pieces used primarily in religious services.
What are chorales/hymn tunes?
Though violins existed before the Baroque period, they were perfected by this man, who is memorialized by having his name attached to most string instruments.
Who is Antonio Stradivari?
Monteverdi is often credited with creating the first great opera, which had this title.
What is Orfeo?
Despite being a world-renowned composer, Henry Purcell only wrote this singular opera.
What is Dido and Aeneas?