Notes

name
composer
how to recognize
genre
date
any info you learned about that piece in class




77 is
Lagrime mie by
barbara strozzi,
cantata,
1659,
(sounds like SOAD)

Arias are
strophic, recitatives are
through composed

Venetian opera characteristics:
Hero and heroine in love,
but something prevents them from getting together until the end.
Castrati/diva have wide ranges/elaborate parts



73a (wind instrument 5--45-6-5-4, major, over 1)
L'Euridice (Nel pur ardor)
Jacopo Peri
opera (aria)
1600
It is an aria (strophic song for solo voice and continuo). Identifiable by its strophic structure and ritornellos following every stanza. Triple meter. First ex. of aria

73b (woman sings a Bb over and over)
L'Euridice (Per quel vago boschetto)
Jacopo Peri
opera (recitative)
1600
It is a recitative (singing as if one were speaking). Identifiable by its narrow vocal range and emphasis of words with a cadence between the voice and the bass. Duple meter. First ex. of recitative

EVERY one of L'Euridice:
It was part of an opera, which served as an attempt at reinventing Greek tragedy, one of the first operas. Performed at a court. Purpose was to entertain.

74a
L'Orfeo (Vi ricorda o boschi ombrosi)
Monteverdi
bum bum bum - bum bum - bum bum - bum -
opera (aria)
1607
It is an aria (strophic song for solo voice/continuo). He is happy in this because he is about to marry the love of his life (this is before he finds out she passed).
EVERY Orfeo:
Represents earliest period of opera/Monteverdi's first opera. Performed at a court. Purpose was to entertain/impress wedding guests. There are sudden chord changes that don't fit the rules of counterpoint (second practice)

74b (2-2-.3323-3 over 5------1---)
L'Orfeo (Mira, deh mira Orfeo)
Monteverdi
opera (song)
1607
It is a song, 30 seconds long, functions as a transition between the aria and the recitative.

74c (F-----C-CA-Bb)
L'Orfeo (Ahi, caso acerbo)
Monteverdi
opera (recitative)
1607
It is a recitative (singing as if one were speaking). She is singing with a sad tone because she is about to tell Orfeo that the love of his life has passed. No real melody, representative of recitative. Represents the earliest period of opera/Monteverdi's first opera. Performed at a court. Purpose was to entertain/impress wedding guests. There are sudden chord changes that don't fit the rules of counterpoint (second practice).

74d
L'Orfeo (Tu se' morta)
Monteverdi
says "tu se' morta"
opera (recitative)
1607
It is a recitative (singing as if one were speaking). He is sad because he just found out the woman he was about to marry has passed. No real melody, representative of recitative. Represents the earliest period of opera/Monteverdi's first opera. Performed at a court. Purpose was to entertain/impress wedding guests. There are sudden chord changes that don't fit the rules of counterpoint (second practice). Ex: e maj to g min

74e
L'Orfeo (Ahi, caso acerbo)
Monteverdi
a bunch of voices say "ah" Bb minor chord (highest voice Db)
opera (madrigal)
1607
It is a madrigal. The chorus comments on the events that just occurred. Typical second practice madrigal. Dissonances highlight certain words.

76a
Artemesia (Dubbia m'appar la luce)
Francesco Cavalli
3G--4A5B-2F#
opera (aria)
1657
It is an aria. It (whole thing, not just aria) exemplifies midcentury Venetian opera. Here, Meraspe is dealing with conflict because he killed his woman's father (certain is the pain, but hope is doubtful). Performed in a public theater. Purpose was to entertain/make money. Triple meter. Sad aria, which shows the time period because in the earliest operas, arias were never sad. Wide range shows off the castrati's range. strophic form. dissonances highlight certain words.

76b
Artemisia (Vuo' legger l'epitafio)
Francesco Cavalli
e b b b b c c (c maj)
opera (recitative)
1657
It is a recitative. It (whole thing, not just aria) exemplifies midcentury Venetian opera. Here, Ramiro lets Meraspe know that Artemisia wants him dead. Performed in a public theater. Purpose was to entertain/make money. Duple meter/speech rhythm. Through composed.

76c
Artemisia (Pietà di mie pene)
Francesco Cavalli
Instrumental intro, strings and lute, C min
opera (aria)
1657
It is an aria. It (whole thing, not just aria) exemplifies midcentury Venetian opera. Here, Ramiro and Artemia are in a conflict. Performed in a public theater. Purpose was to entertain/make money. Triple meter.