When we think of the great musical families in history, Strauss and Bach loom large. But one of the earliest family dynasties in music history arose in Naples during the middle Baroque Period: the Scarlattis. While Domenico Scarlatti's fame would eventually exceed that of his pater familias, I would argue that Alessandro remains one of … Continue reading Baroque Music V: Alessandro Scarlatti (1660-1725)
Tag: opera
Purcell and Opera
For me, Purcell is all about opera. Finally, at the close of the 17th century, we finally get a composer who can rival Monteverdi in presenting searing emotion in song. Here are two of Purcell's more famous arias, performed by two great contemporary mezzo-sopranos, Susan Graham and Anne Sophie von Otter: Henry Purcell, Dido and … Continue reading Purcell and Opera
Late Monteverdi
In opera singers express their emotions directly to each other and indirectly to the audience—the fusing of drama between singer and audience is what powers opera to this day. And this is where it began, in earnest, with Monteverdi’s late opera Poppea, which was premiered to a paying audience in a public theatre. No more … Continue reading Late Monteverdi
Baroque Music I: Claudio Monteverdi, Part II, The Birth of Opera
The genius who birthed the Baroque was, as previewed last time, the great Renaissance composer Claudio Monteverdi. Its birthplace was Florence, and the medium was opera. Opera was midwifed in the Florentine Camerata, that group artists, philosophers, musicians, poets, and intellectuals at the end of the Renaissance who debated and studied the arts. I previously … Continue reading Baroque Music I: Claudio Monteverdi, Part II, The Birth of Opera
A Gertus History of Music 