4.5 Opera in the Classical Period

Opera in the Classical Period marked a shift from Baroque extravagance to clarity and balance. Composers like Gluck reformed opera, emphasizing natural drama and expressive music. Arias became less ornate, while ensembles and orchestras gained importance in storytelling.

Two main types of opera emerged: opera seria for serious themes and opera buffa for lighter, comedic stories. Mozart revolutionized both styles, blending them in masterpieces like "Don Giovanni" and "The Marriage of Figaro."

Classical Opera Characteristics

Emphasis on Clarity and Balance

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• Moved away from ornate Baroque style toward simplicity in music and drama
• Reforms by composers like Christoph Willibald Gluck created more natural and dramatically coherent operatic form
• Recitative became more fluid and expressive
  • Often accompanied by orchestra (recitativo accompagnato) rather than just continuo
• Arias transformed to express character emotions
  • Became shorter and less ornate
  • Focused less on showcasing vocal virtuosity
• Ensembles and choruses gained importance in dramatic progression
• Orchestra's role expanded
  • More varied instrumentation
  • Greater emphasis on dramatic underscoring
• Librettos focused on realistic plots and characters
  • Shifted from mythological subjects to relatable human dramas

Structural and Stylistic Elements

• Overture foreshadowed musical themes or dramatic elements
  • Served as cohesive introduction to the work
• Arias typically followed da capo (ABA) form
  • Less elaborate ornamentation in repeated A section compared to Baroque operas
• Accompanied recitative (recitativo accompagnato) allowed more dramatic expression in dialogue scenes
  • Blurred line between recitative and aria
• Ensemble pieces integrated into dramatic action
  • Duets, trios, and larger groups no longer mere interludes
• Dramatic structure followed clear arc
  • Conflicts introduced in Act I
  • Developed in Act II
  • Resolved in Act III

Opera Seria vs Opera Buffa

Opera Seria Evolution

• Continued from Baroque period with significant reforms in structure and style
• Dealt with heroic or mythological themes
• Featured elaborate arias for star singers
  • Became less ornate in Classical period
• Notable example Mozart's "Idomeneo"

Opera Buffa Development

• Gained prominence in Classical period
• Featured lighter themes and more natural dialogue
• Incorporated characters from everyday life
• Evolved from intermezzo (short comic interlude between acts of opera seria)
• Often incorporated elements of local folk music and dialects
  • Contributed to popularity among wider audience
• Notable example Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro"

Blending of Styles

• Distinction between opera seria and opera buffa blurred towards end of Classical period
• Some works combined elements of both styles
• Libretti of opera buffa employed stock characters from commedia dell'arte tradition
  • Added more psychological depth to these characters

Musical Elements of Classical Opera

Vocal Techniques and Forms

• Arias expressed character's emotions more directly
• Ensembles (duets, trios, quartets) gained importance in storytelling
• Choruses contributed significantly to dramatic progression
• Recitative became more expressive and fluid
  • Accompanied recitative (recitativo accompagnato) allowed for greater dramatic expression

Orchestral Innovations

• Orchestra's role expanded beyond mere accompaniment
• More varied instrumentation used for dramatic effect
• Greater emphasis on dramatic underscoring to enhance emotional content
• Overtures often incorporated themes from the opera
  • Served as musical introduction to the work's mood and themes

Libretto and Dramatic Structure

• Plots focused on more realistic situations and characters
• Opera buffa libretti drew from commedia dell'arte traditions
  • Stock characters given more depth and complexity
• Social commentary often incorporated into storylines
• Clear dramatic structure with conflict introduction, development, and resolution across acts

Classical Opera Composers and Librettists

Major Composers and Their Contributions

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart revolutionized opera
  • Blended elements of opera seria and opera buffa
  • Notable works "Don Giovanni," "The Marriage of Figaro," "The Magic Flute"
• Christoph Willibald Gluck initiated operatic reforms
  • Emphasized dramatic truth and simplicity over vocal display
  • Key work "Orfeo ed Euridice"
• Giovanni Battista Pergolesi helped establish opera buffa
  • Influential work "La serva padrona"
• Joseph Haydn composed both opera seria and opera buffa
  • Notable work "Orlando paladino"
• Antonio Salieri contributed to opera development
  • Significant in development of German Singspiel
  • Notable work "Der Rauchfangkehrer"

Influential Librettists

• Lorenzo Da Ponte, Mozart's librettist for major operas
  • Crafted complex, psychologically nuanced characters and plots
  • Collaborated on "Don Giovanni," "The Marriage of Figaro," "Così fan tutte"
• Pietro Metastasio's texts remained influential
  • Originated in Baroque era
  • Served as basis for numerous opera seria compositions in Classical period