Major Opera Styles and Music Forms

Opera Styles and Music Forms

German Opera

Usually revolves around medieval matters or legends, often with a personal treatment of mythological themes. Wagner loved these fantastic issues, developing them in the form of musical drama (moving away from the traditional division of scenes into arias). In Wagner, each character or historical event has a leitmotif, and the works often lasted three hours.

Leitmotif

A musical piece that is played every time a character, action, feeling, or place appears.

Italian Opera

The 19th century was a period of splendor for this genre in Italy. Composers include Rossini, Verdi, and Puccini. Features:

• Less emphasis on vocal virtuosity.
• Greater importance of the chorus.
• Shift towards realism in opera, moving away from fantasy.

Impressionism

Appeared around 1880 onwards. A rebellion against Romanticism. Sought to create evocative atmospheres and impressions through harmonies and combinations of timbres (Claude Debussy).

Giuseppe Verdi

Born in 1813, died in 1901. Until 1855, composed Rigoletto, La Traviata, and Il Trovatore. By 1855, his dramatic spirit became more pronounced (leading towards works like Aida). In 1787, he created Otello.

Gioachino Rossini

Born in 1792. His early years were spent on tour, as his mother sang opera. In 1806, he composed his first opera. In his later years, he traveled and met Wagner (composer of The Barber of Seville).

Zarzuela

Zarzuela Grande

3 acts.

Zarzuela Chica

One act and simpler.

Wagner's Composition Form

Invented a method of composition using the melodic cell (a fragment that is repeated, appears, disappears, transforms...).

Functions of an Orchestra Conductor

• Manages tempo with all its variants.
• Monitors and indicates correct entries.
• Indicates intensities.
• Coordinates different timbres.
• Detects errors in execution.

Symphonic Poem

Hector Berlioz, in 1830, composed his Symphonie Fantastique, which has a narrative thread. Franz Liszt adopted a single movement form to create the symphonic poem.

Lied

A poem sung by a solo voice with piano accompaniment. Composer: Franz Schubert.

Giacomo Puccini

Born in 1858 and died in 1924. Synthesized French and Italian ideas. His works are modern and realistic, dealing with issues close to the public (e.g., Madame Butterfly).

French Opera

Romantic Opera

A new style emerged with heroic themes, often presented in a theatrical manner.