6cL opera Moz

SUMMARY – 18TH CENTURY: 

SUMMARY – 18TH CENTURY IDEAS – Enlightenment & rationalist Criticism ART – 3 genres: Rococo, Neo-Classical, Bourgeois (Genre) MUSIC – Genres such as the SYMPHONY and the STRING QUARTET emerge, all emphasizing CLARITY of musical ideas and the organization of CONTRAST, as exemplified by SONATA FORM key composers: HAYDN, MOZART & early Beethoven

Classical Music: 

Classical Music 1770-1820

Opera evolution: 

Opera evolution Baroque recitative aria (solo) recitative aria recitative . . . action emote action emote action . . . Classical/Mozart recitative aria (solo) recitative ensemble . . . action emote action emotion & action ... contrasting emotions

Mozart and opera: 

Mozart and opera -- all voice ranges used (instead of the Baroque’s treble + bass preference) -- ensembles (groups of solo voices) now contrasted with arias and recitative -- several operas about contemporary characters, not mythological figures or ancient history from Rome or Greece (although he did a few of those, too) -- biting social commentary: the decadent aristocracy is compared to the normal, happy, healthy lust and love of the common folk -- recitative still used -- some in German with spoken dialogue

Mozart and opera: 

Mozart and opera Da Ponte – librettist The three Da Ponte operas: Marriage of Figaro (1786) (play by Beaumarchais) Don Giovanni (1787) Così Fan Tutte (1790) (libretto = “little book,” the story and words for an opera) Which one to choose as most representative?

Mozart opera example: 

Mozart opera example Cosi fan Tutte (they all do it) 3 pairs of voices – symmetry of design appeals to the Neo-Classical mind Rococo moral stance Rarely performed in the 1800s – now regarded as one of Mozart’s finest operas Ends with an appeal for forgiveness & HUMAN REASON

Mozart opera example: 

Mozart opera example Don Giovanni Don Juan as anti-hero – critique of aristocracy (a proud anti-hero, though – perhaps a reflection of the Enlightenment attitude about religion?) Rarely performed in the 1800s – now regarded as one of Mozart’s finest operas 1787

The Marriage of Figaro(Le Nozze di Figaro): 

The Marriage of Figaro (Le Nozze di Figaro) celebration of “the common people” v. the decadent aristocracy 1786 Chardin The Prayer before Meal 1744 Bourgeois (Genre)

Mozart listening example: 

Mozart listening example -- finale from Act II of The Marriage of Figaro -- an ensemble scene (six voices) -- contrasting emotions presented simultaneously (compare that to the Baroque ideal aesthetic of Affect, one mood or emotion per piece) TEXTBOOK CD – Act I, Scene 1 Recognize this for exam

SUMMARY – 18TH CENTURY: 

SUMMARY – 18TH CENTURY IDEAS – Enlightenment & rationalist Criticism ART – 3 genres: Rococo, Neo-Classical, Bourgeois (Genre) MUSIC – Genres such as the SYMPHONY and the STRING QUARTET emerge, all emphasizing CLARITY of musical ideas and the organization of CONTRAST, as exemplified by SONATA FORM key composers: HAYDN, MOZART & early Beethoven