Classical PeriodVocal Music

Opera, Mass,Requiem, Oratorio

Classical Period Opera Haydn wrote none Beethoven wrote only one – not really very

good Mozart was the master

Wrote Italian serious opera Wrote Italian comic opera Wrote German serious opera Wrote German comic opera

Mozart OperasFamous Italian operas:

Le Nozze de Figaro / “The Marriage of Figaro”

Don Giovanni / “Don Juan”Cosi fan tutte

Mozart OperasFamous German Operas:

Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail / “The Abduction from the Serail

Die Zauberflote / “The Magic Flute”

Opera OvertureOpening orchestral

introduction – this is not new

Extracted and performed as concert piece – this is new

Mozart’s contributions to Opera

Refined use of recitative and aria Enhanced role of bass and

baritone voice Made comic opera as artistic as

dramatic opera Concert overture Ensemble finale

Classical Period Mass Concert pieces – totally separated from any

liturgical function Haydn – 14; 12 for birthdays of princess Mozart – 18; many Missa Brevis Beethoven – 1 Same elements: soloists, chorus, orchestra Same movements: Kyrie, Gloria, Credo,

Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnus Dei

Requiem Mass for the dead “Trying to sing the person into a

better state” Several movements from the

traditional mass are replaced Gloria Credo

Mozart Requiem Last work he wrote Commission – intended to be represented as

the work of another Died while he was writing it Pupil, Sussmayr, finished it “Dies Irae” “Rex tremendae” “Confutatis”

Classical Period Oratorio Haydn “The Creation” “The Heavens are Telling” “The Seasons” Product of his London years &

greatly impacted by Handel’s work