The Enjoyment of Music 10th
Shorter Edition
The Enjoyment of Music 10th, Shorter Edition
Unit XIV
Choral Music and Opera
in the Classical Era
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the
earth; break forth into joyous song and
sing praises.”
—Psalm 98
The Enjoyment of Music 10th, Shorter Edition
39. Sacred Choral Music and Opera
“I like an aria to fit a singer as
perfectly as a well-tailored suit of
clothes.”
- W. A. Mozart
The Enjoyment of Music 10th, Shorter Edition
Mass, Requiem, and Oratorio
• Baroque tradition
• Eventually moved to concert hall
• Popularity of oratorio
Church Performance
Concert Hall Performance
The Enjoyment of Music 10th, Shorter Edition
Classical Opera
• Opera types
Opera buffa and opera seria
Opéra comique, Singspiel, ballad opera
Castrato vs. buffo
The Enjoyment of Music 10th, Shorter Edition
Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro
• Inspired by a Beaumarchais play
• Libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte
– Don Giovanni
– Così fan tutte
•
•
•
•
Set in Spain
Aristocracy is satirized
Arias provide emotional expression
Recitative moves action forward
The Enjoyment of Music 10th, Shorter Edition
Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro
•
Orchestral overture
– abridged sonata-allegro form
– Attaca into Act I
The Enjoyment of Music 10th, Shorter Edition
Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro
Characters
Count Almaviva
Cherubino
Other Characters:
• Figaro
• Countess
• Bartolo
• Marcellina
The Enjoyment of Music 10th, Shorter Edition
Susanna
Basilio
Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro
Act I, Scenes 6 and 7
Cherubino’s Aria
“Non so più”
• (A-B-A-C)
• Trouser role
• Mezzo-soprano
The Enjoyment of Music 10th, Shorter Edition
Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro
(Listening Guide)
• Recitative: Susanna, Count, Basilio
• Trio: “Cosa sento! Tosto andate”
Sonata form, quick exchanges
of individual emotions
Listening Guide PDF
The Enjoyment of Music 10th, Shorter Edition
Transition III:
From Classicism to Romanticism
“I am in the world for the purpose
of composing. What I feel in my
heart, I give to the world.”
—Franz Schubert
Schubert: “Gretchen am Spinnrade”
Schubert: String Quintet
The Enjoyment of Music 10th, Shorter Edition
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The Enjoyment of Music 10th, Shorter Edition