🎼Music History – 1600 to 1750 Unit 9 – English Baroque: Purcell & Rise of Opera

Key Figures and Influences

• Henry Purcell (1659-1695) considered the most important English composer of the Baroque era
• Purcell influenced by Italian and French styles, particularly the works of Monteverdi and Lully
  • Incorporated elements of Italian recitative and French dance rhythms into his compositions
• John Blow (1649-1708) served as Purcell's mentor and predecessor as organist at Westminster Abbey
• Matthew Locke (c. 1621-1677) composed early English operas and influenced Purcell's dramatic works
• Giovanni Battista Draghi (c. 1640-1708) Italian composer who worked in England and introduced Italian operatic styles
• Pelham Humfrey (1647-1674) English composer and lutenist who studied in France and brought French musical influences to England
  • Humfrey's works influenced Purcell's early compositions

Historical Context

• English Baroque period coincided with the Restoration era (1660-1685) following the English Civil War and Commonwealth period
• Charles II restored to the throne in 1660, ushering in a period of renewed interest in the arts and music
  • Charles II's court influenced by French culture and music, particularly the works of Lully
• London became a major center for music and theater during the Restoration era
  • New theaters opened, including the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane (1663) and the Dorset Garden Theatre (1671)
• The Great Plague (1665-1666) and the Great Fire of London (1666) had significant impacts on London society and culture
• Political instability and religious tensions between Anglicans and Catholics continued throughout the period
• The Glorious Revolution (1688) saw the overthrow of James II and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy under William and Mary

Characteristics of English Baroque

• Emphasis on melody and harmony, with a focus on expressive and emotive music
• Use of ground bass (repeating bassline) and ostinato patterns
• Incorporation of dance rhythms, particularly French dance forms such as the minuet and gavotte
  • Dance rhythms often used in instrumental pieces and as interludes in vocal works
• Development of the English masque, a form of courtly entertainment combining music, dance, and drama
• Growth of public concerts and music publishing, making music more accessible to a wider audience
• Emergence of the English baroque orchestra, which included strings, woodwinds, brass, and keyboard instruments
  • Trumpets and drums often used for ceremonial and martial music

Purcell's Life and Works

• Born in London in 1659, Purcell came from a musical family and received early training as a chorister
• Appointed organist at Westminster Abbey in 1679, a position he held until his death in 1695
• Composed music for the court, church, and theater, including operas, odes, anthems, and instrumental pieces
  • Purcell's works often celebrated royal occasions and political events
• Notable stage works include Dido and Aeneas (c. 1688), King Arthur (1691), and The Fairy Queen (1692)
  • These works combine elements of opera, masque, and spoken drama
• Composed numerous odes and welcome songs for royal occasions, such as Come, Ye Sons of Art (1694)
• Contributed to the development of the English baroque sonata and suite for instruments
• Purcell's death at the age of 36 cut short a promising career and left a significant impact on English music

Rise of Opera in England

• Opera first introduced to England in the early 17th century through the works of Italian composers such as Monteverdi
• Masques, a form of courtly entertainment combining music, dance, and drama, served as a precursor to English opera
  • Masques often featured elaborate stagings and costumes, with music and dance interludes
• William Davenant (1606-1668) pioneered English opera with his work The Siege of Rhodes (1656)
  • Davenant's works blended elements of masque, spoken drama, and Italian recitative
• Purcell's Dido and Aeneas (c. 1688) considered the first true English opera
  • Dido and Aeneas features a continuous musical narrative and explores tragic themes
• Semi-operas, which combined spoken drama with musical interludes, became popular in the late 17th century
  • Purcell's King Arthur (1691) and The Fairy Queen (1692) are notable examples of semi-operas
• The rise of Italian opera in the early 18th century, particularly through the works of Handel, overshadowed the development of native English opera

Musical Innovations

• Purcell and his contemporaries developed a distinctly English style of baroque music
• Expansion of the English baroque orchestra, which included a wide range of instruments
  • String section formed the core of the orchestra, with violins, violas, cellos, and double basses
  • Woodwinds, such as recorders, oboes, and bassoons, added melodic and harmonic support
  • Trumpets and drums provided ceremonial and martial effects
• Purcell's use of ground bass and ostinato patterns created a sense of unity and structure in his compositions
  • Ground bass patterns often served as a foundation for variations and improvisations
• Development of the English baroque sonata and suite, which featured a series of contrasting movements
  • Sonatas typically included a slow introduction, followed by faster, dance-like movements
• Purcell's vocal music showcased his ability to set English text to music
  • Use of word painting, where the music reflects the meaning of the lyrics
  • Incorporation of Italian-style recitative for dramatic effect
• Purcell's harmonic language, which included the use of dissonance and chromaticism, added emotional depth to his music

Notable Compositions

• Dido and Aeneas (c. 1688) considered Purcell's greatest opera and a landmark in English music history
  • Features the famous aria "When I am laid in earth" (Dido's Lament)
• King Arthur (1691) a semi-opera based on the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
  • Includes the well-known aria "Fairest Isle" and the frost scene "What Power art thou"
• The Fairy Queen (1692) a semi-opera adapted from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream
  • Features elaborate masques and dance interludes, showcasing Purcell's skill in composing for the stage
• Come, Ye Sons of Art (1694) an ode composed for Queen Mary's birthday celebration
  • Demonstrates Purcell's ability to write celebratory and ceremonial music
• Hail, bright Cecilia (1692) an ode composed for the annual St. Cecilia's Day celebration
  • Showcases Purcell's skill in writing for soloists, chorus, and orchestra
• Sonatas of III Parts (1683) a collection of trio sonatas for two violins and basso continuo
  • Highlights Purcell's contribution to the development of the English baroque sonata
• Chacony in G minor (c. 1678) a ground bass composition for strings
  • Demonstrates Purcell's mastery of variation form and his ability to create emotional depth through harmony and counterpoint

Legacy and Impact

• Purcell considered the greatest English composer of the Baroque era and a key figure in the development of English music
• Purcell's works laid the foundation for the future of English opera and instrumental music
  • His semi-operas and masques influenced the development of English theater music in the 18th century
• Purcell's music continued to be performed and admired after his death
  • His works were collected and published posthumously, ensuring their preservation and dissemination
• Handel, who arrived in England in 1710, was influenced by Purcell's music and incorporated elements of his style into his own compositions
• Purcell's music experienced a revival in the 20th century, with renewed interest from scholars, performers, and audiences
  • Benjamin Britten, a 20th-century English composer, championed Purcell's music and drew inspiration from his works
• Purcell's legacy extends beyond England, with his music performed and studied worldwide
  • His compositions continue to be a staple of the baroque repertoire and are regularly featured in concerts and recordings
• Purcell's life and works have been the subject of numerous biographies, scholarly studies, and artistic adaptations
  • His music has been used in films, television shows, and stage productions, testifying to its enduring appeal and relevance