Opera: The Basics

Contents

• Introduction
• Part I Terms and Topics
• 1. Origins of Opera The ultimate Baroque expression Baroque Characteristics The Florentine Camerata: Opera's First Theorists From Polyphony to Monody: Solo Song Monody as Recitative Opera's forerunners The Intermedio Learned Comedy (Commedia erudite) Ita
• 2. Music and Text Relationships The libretto Poetry and musical structures Compositional strategies Subjects, themes, and musical expression Summary
• 3. Opera in Theaters Patronage Public Theaters Economics of opera Historic Houses Summary
• 4. History of Opera on Media Recordings Opera on musical boxes The earliest recordings Opera on LPs and CDs Operas on video and DVD Film versions Summary
• 5. Professions Composers Librettists Singers The Impresario Conductors and Directors Musicians and Dancers Critics Summary
• 6. Opera as a Mirror of Culture and Society Cultural Expression Opera as class symbol Operatic seasons and society Censorship Opera and religion Gender politics Nationalism The Role of the Audience Summary
• PART II Genres and Styles
• 7. Serious Opera Opera seria Tragedie lyrique Opera comique Music drama and Gesamptkunstwerk Summary
• 8. Comic Opera Opera buffa Farsa Intermezzo Dramma giocoso Opera comique Opera bouffe Summary
• 9. Semi-serious Opera Opera semiseria Operetta Summary
• 10. Vernacular Opera Singspiel Zarzuela Semi-opera Ballad opera Summary