The Evolution of Theatre Music and Opera History

1.1 Theatre Music

Theatre music is the music used to accompany a performance, whether for the theatre, opera, or any other stage production. It sets the scene and transmits sensations that differ according to the scenes it represents.

Historical Background

Theatrical performances, the ancestors of opera, were not always held in theatres. Their development continuously offered more theatrical and musical possibilities.

1.2 The Birth of Opera

The origin of opera can be found in the Camerata Fiorentina, which began in Florence, Italy, at the end of the 16th century. It was a group of poets, musicians, singers, and cultured nobles who met to discuss music. The Camerata decided to emulate the Greek classics; they chose a mythological topic, wrote the text, and composed the music. This theatrical assembly was called Dafne. However, L'Orfeo by Claudio Monteverdi is usually considered the first opera in history. Opera is a dramatic and musical art where actors express themselves through song accompanied by an orchestra.

The Parts of an Opera

• Overture or Prelude: An orchestral piece that precedes the action or the start of each act. These passages can also appear in the middle of the opera and are called intermediates.
• Chorus: The common song in specific parts of an opera where all characters unite.
• Aria: An independent piece typically sung by one or more soloists and accompanied by an orchestra.
• Recitative: A fragment between the arias where the singers appear to recite the text. It is used to narrate the action through the dialogue of the characters.

The Principal Components

• Voices:
  • Soprano: Typically the main female character.
  • Mezzo-soprano: Medium or lower range feminine voice.
  • Tenor: High male voice.
  • Baritone: Medium male voice.
• Chorus
• The Director of the Orchestra
• The Poet
• The Set

The German Opera

Composed during the 19th century with fantastical characters, heroes, and gods, these music dramas were composed by Richard Wagner. The composer saw opera as a total art form that combined music, drama, and staging. Wagner incorporated the leitmotif technique into his operas, characterized by giving each character a melody that helped define them.

The Tradition of Spanish Performances

The development of Spanish theatre occurred in the 17th century during the period known as the Spanish Golden Age. Theatrical performances included music during the intermission and at the end of the performance as a form of simple entertainment.

Zarzuela is a genre that alternates between sung and spoken scenes, reflecting Spanish culture. The main difference between Zarzuela and opera is that an opera is performed entirely in song, while Zarzuela has some spoken parts.