Opera: The Basics The Basics

"Opera: The Basics "gives a brief introduction to 4 centuries of opera, ideal for students and interested listeners who want to learn more about this important musical style. After a brief introduction, the book is organized in two parts: Terms and Topics; and Genres and Styles. In the first part, the author traces the origins of opera, and then introduces the student to its basic terminology. In Part II, the author traces the history of major opera genres, including serious opera; comic opera; semi-serious opera; and vernacular opera. Throughout, sidebars offer studies of key issues. The book concludes with a bibliography, discography, and videography.

"Opera: The Basics "serves as an excellent introduction to the players, the music, and the styles that make opera an enduring and well-loved musical style.

Opera: The Basics offers an excellent introduction tofour centuries of opera. Its easy to follow sections explore topics including: the origins of opera basic terminology the history of major opera genres including: serious opera, comic opera, semi-serious opera and vernacular opera. With key notes, discography and videography, this is the ideal book for students and interested listeners who want to learn more about this important musical genre.

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)
Italian Folk Comedy (Commedia dell'arte)
Pastoral Drama
Church pageants (Sacre Rappresentazioni)
Sidebar: Claudio Monteverdi
Summary

Terminology
Aria
Strophic
Through-composed
Da capo
Dal segno
Cavatina
Cantabile
Cabaletta
Recitative
The rhythm of language
Dry (secco)
Accompanied (accompagnato)
Simple
Mesurée
Ensembles
Duets and trios
Quartets and larger ensembles
Scena
Multipartite finales
Vocal ranges (with sample roles)

Musical Scores and Editions
Autographs/holographs
Full orchestral
Piano-vocal
Individual selections
Scholarly editions
Performing editions
Summary

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
Opéra comique
Music drama and Gesamptkunstwerk
Summary

8. Comic Opera
Opera buffa
Farsa
Intermezzo
Dramma giocoso
Opéra comique
Opéra bouffe
Summary

9. Semi-serious Opera
Opera semiseria
Operetta
Summary

10. Vernacular Opera
Singspiel
Zarzuela
Semi-opera
Ballad opera
Summary

Denise Gallo is a Music Specialist at The Library of Congress. Previously, she was an Assistant Professor and Co-Director of the Music History Division at The Catholic University of America, where she now remains an adjunct professor. She is a frequent lecturer for Washington Opera, the Baltimore Opera Company, Washington Concert Opera, and Summer Opera Theatre Company, and a contributing author to The Washington Opera Magazine and the Baltimore Opera Subscribers' Study Guide. Gallo is the author of several books, including Rossini: A Guide to Research (Routledge)