Chapter 13: Vocal Music in the Classical Era

Question 1

Who were some of the leading opera composers of the classical era?

Answer 1

Johann Adolph Hasse (1699-1783), Baldassare Galuppi (1706-1785), Willibald Gluck (1714-1787), Niccòlo Jommelli (1714-1774), Tomasso Traetta (1727-1779), Niccòlo Piccinni (1741-1813), Domenico Cimarosa (1749-1801), Antonio Salieri (1750-1825), and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791).

Question 2

What is Opera Buffa?

Answer 2

• Also known as comic opera.
• Occurred as early as the 1720’s
• Subject matter was humorous rather than serious.
• Libretto centered on everyday characters rather than heroes, rulers, or gods.
• Singers included basses but not castrati.
• Gave more emphasis to ensemble singing.
• Avoided da capo arias & vocal improvisation opportunities
  
  • Melodies were simple & straightforward

Question 3

Describe “La serva padrona” by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi.

Answer 3

• “The Maidservant as Mistress”
• Featured intermezzo
• Written in 1733 & first performed in Naples
• Tells story of a maidservent who becomes a mistress of the household in which she has been employed.
• Two singers: Uberto (a bass) and Serpina (a soprano)
• The orchestra consists of string and basso continuo
• Homophonic texture w/ voice part doubled by orchestra
• Points toward lighter style of mid-18th century
• Less monolithic approach to musical expression.

Question 4

Who was André Grétry (1741-1813) ?

Answer 4

• “the French Pergolesi”
• The most notable french composer to incorparate elements of comic opera into their works.

Question 5

Who were notable composers to reform opera?

Answer 5

Jommelli, Traetta, and Gluck.

Question 6

What are some characteristics that distinguish reform opera from opera seria?

Answer 6

• no da capo arias
• little or no opportunity for vocal improvisation or virtuosic displays of vocal agility or power
• no long melismas
• a more predominantly syllabic setting of the text to make the words more intelligible
• far less repetition of text within an aria
• a blurring of the distinction between recitative and aria, declamatory and lyrical passages, with altogether less recitiative
• simpler, more flowing melodic lines
• an overture that is linked by theme or mood to the ensuing action
• more prominence for the chorus, giving it more important role commenting on the events unfolding on stage

Question 7

What was special about Mozart’s operas?

Answer 7

• Created psychologically and believable complex characters
• Synthesized and transcended the boundaries of buffa, seria, and other operatic styles.

Question 8

What is intermezzo?

Answer 8

A work intended for performance between the acts of a larger (serious) opera.

Question 9

Why was opera buffa controversal?

Answer 9

Opponents considered it an affront to established traditions.

Question 10

What is the War of the Buffoons (Guerre des Bouffons) ?

Answer 10

• Ignited by debut of Pergolesi’s La serva padrona in Paris in 1752.
• Provided an opportunity for competing social groups to jockey for influence and a pretext for some to question authority without directly confronting it.
• French traditionalists wanted to uphold tragédie lyrique
• Others wanted to use opera buffa to promote a new, lighter style of musical theater in France.

Question 11

What is the Quarrel of the Gluckists and Piccinnists?

Answer 11

• In the late 1770s the debate that pitted Italian against French culture.
• Featured Gluck and Piccinni who were both foreigners.
• Saw Gluck as continuing French ‘tragédie lyrique’ while Piccinni was preceived to represent Italian tradition of opera seria.