Lied, Opera, and Zarzuela: A History of Vocal Music Forms

The Voice in Musical Text: Lied, Opera, and Zarzuela

The human voice has always been central to musical expression, giving rise to diverse forms that blend poetic text with intricate compositions. This document explores three significant vocal music forms: the Lied, Opera, and Zarzuela, tracing their evolution and impact.

The Lied: Intimate Poetic Song

The Lied is a small, intimate composition based on a poetic text, usually a poem by a writer of the time, such as J.W. Goethe. It features a male or female voice, accompanied by a piano. Composers often grouped their Lieder into collections or cycles. Robert Schumann's Dichterliebe (A Poet's Love) and Frauenliebe und -leben (A Woman's Love and Life) are among the best-known cycles.

The Opera: Grand Musical Drama

From its beginnings in the Baroque era, opera evolved to occupy a preeminent position in the nineteenth century. This rise was driven by great literary production, the professionalization of composers, and evolving cultural and social anxieties. We can observe this evolution through several key developments:

• More continuous musical flow, integrating arias, duets, and other forms seamlessly.
• The overture became increasingly integrated or, in many cases, reduced to a simple prelude.
• Prominent use of large choirs, as well as many extras and characters.
• Under the influence of literature, the creation of mysterious and legendary environments, reflecting each country's traditions.

Composers like Gioachino Rossini, Vincenzo Bellini, and Gaetano Donizetti paved the way for Giuseppe Verdi in Italy, where opera became the most important genre, culminating in what is known as the verismo opera.

Verismo Opera: Realism and Social Critique

This type of opera is more realistic, eschewing romantic idealization, and often becomes cruel and critical of contemporary society. In Germany, Richard Wagner defined a new conception of musical drama: music evolved through continuous leitmotifs (leading motives) associated with a melody or an instrument. Wagner extended the orchestra, incorporating new instruments like the Wagner tuba, to interpret operas such as Parsifal or Die Walküre. In France, Georges Bizet composed the opera Carmen, one of the most famous works of the genre.

Zarzuela: Spain's Unique Operatic Form

Spain's operatic repertoire, which had largely favored Italian styles, saw the rise of the zarzuela genre in the late nineteenth century. These short works reflect the most characteristic features of Spanish society. Their brief duration (often around one hour) allows for two works to be performed in a single afternoon, reducing theatrical costs for impresarios. Composers such as Ruperto Chapí (La Revoltosa), Tomás Bretón (La Verbena de la Paloma), and Federico Chueca (Agua, azucarillos y aguardiente) are very popular.