Late Renaissance

On the Brink of the Baroque

Florentine Camerata

• Group of intellectuals, musicians, philosophers, and poets who met to discuss attempt to influence trends in the arts

• Sponsored by Count Giovanni de Bardi• Members included composers Giulio Caccini, Piero

Strozzi, and Vincenzo Galilei (father of Galileo Galilei)

• Believed that music had become corrupt, and by returning to the forms and style of the ancient Greeks, music and society could be improved

The Camerata on Vocal Music

• Sung music should be easily understood—an increase in interest on using vernacular language

• The words were the most important element; the music should be composed to support them

• Polyphony obscured the understanding of the words

• Looked at the “purer” music of the Greeks for inspiration

• Monody and recitative were created as a result

Monody

• Monody– Simple single vocal melody with instrumental

accompaniment playing chords underneath– Melody designed to reflect the natural rhythm and

accents of the text– Became know as stile recitativo; led to the

development of opera– Example: Amarilli Mia Bella by Giulio Caccini

Monteverdi

• Epitomized the transition from late Renaissance to early Baroque style of composition

• Composed many madrigals. Many incorporated instrumental accompaniment. Example: Ahi, come a un vago sol

• Used basso continuo• One of the first composers of opera—L’Orfeo is

is most well-known. Example: L’Orfeo