🎭Opera Unit 3 – Opera Seria and Opera Buffa in the 18th Century

Historical Context

• Opera seria and opera buffa emerged in the 18th century during the Age of Enlightenment which emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of tradition
• Reflected the changing social and cultural landscape of Europe with the rise of the middle class and a shift away from the aristocracy
• Developed alongside the Baroque and Classical musical styles characterized by elaborate ornamentation, complex harmonies, and a focus on melody
• Influenced by the Arcadian Academy, an Italian literary society that sought to reform opera and make it more natural and less artificial
• Coincided with the rise of public opera houses and the decline of court-sponsored performances, making opera more accessible to a wider audience

Key Characteristics of Opera Seria

• Serious, noble themes often drawn from mythology, history, or legend with a focus on the struggles of heroic characters
• Adhered to the "unity of time, place, and action" derived from ancient Greek drama, meaning the plot unfolded in a single location over the course of a day
• Emphasized virtuosic singing and elaborate arias that showcased the skills of the performers
  • Arias followed a da capo structure with an A section, contrasting B section, and a return to the A section with embellishments
• Recitative, a speech-like singing style, advanced the plot between arias and was accompanied by harpsichord or cello
• Strict gender roles with heroic male leads and virtuous, suffering female characters
• Elaborate stage sets and costumes to create a grand, majestic spectacle

Famous Opera Seria Composers and Works

• Alessandro Scarlatti (1660-1725), considered the founder of opera seria
  • Composed over 100 operas including "Il Pompeo" (1683) and "Mitridate Eupatore" (1707)
• George Frideric Handel (1685-1759), German-born composer who worked primarily in London
  • Notable works include "Giulio Cesare" (1724), "Rodelinda" (1725), and "Alcina" (1735)
• Johann Adolph Hasse (1699-1783), German composer who worked extensively in Italy
  • Composed over 60 operas seria including "Cleofide" (1731) and "Artaserse" (1730)
• Nicola Porpora (1686-1768), Italian composer and singing teacher
  • Composed over 50 operas seria and taught famous castrati such as Farinelli

Rise of Opera Buffa

• Originated as short, comic intermezzi performed between the acts of opera seria in the early 18th century
• Reflected the growing influence of the middle class and a desire for more relatable, everyday themes and characters
• Gained popularity in Naples and Venice before spreading throughout Italy and Europe
• Incorporated spoken dialogue instead of recitative and featured ensemble numbers and finales
• Paved the way for the development of singspiel in Germany and opéra comique in France

Comparing Opera Seria and Opera Buffa

• Opera seria focused on mythological or historical subjects while opera buffa depicted contemporary, everyday life
• Seria had a serious, elevated tone while buffa was light-hearted, humorous, and often satirical
• Seria emphasized solo arias while buffa featured more ensemble pieces and interaction between characters
• Seria used recitative to advance the plot while buffa incorporated spoken dialogue
• Seria had elaborate stage sets and costumes while buffa had simpler, more realistic designs

Notable Opera Buffa Examples

• Giovanni Battista Pergolesi's "La serva padrona" (1733), a popular intermezzo that helped establish opera buffa as a standalone genre
• Baldassare Galuppi's "Il filosofo di campagna" (1754), which showcased the comic potential of the genre
• Niccolò Piccinni's "La Cecchina, ossia La buona figliuola" (1760), based on Samuel Richardson's novel "Pamela"
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" (1786) and "Don Giovanni" (1787), which elevated opera buffa to new heights of musical and dramatic sophistication

Musical and Dramatic Innovations

• Opera buffa introduced more complex, ensemble-driven finales that brought together multiple characters and storylines
• Composers began to use the orchestra more effectively to convey character emotions and advance the plot
• The use of motifs and recurring musical themes helped to create a sense of unity and coherence throughout the work
• Librettists such as Carlo Goldoni and Lorenzo Da Ponte crafted more realistic, psychologically complex characters and situations
• The integration of dance and movement into the action, particularly in ensemble scenes, added to the liveliness and energy of the performances

Legacy and Influence on Later Opera

• Opera buffa's emphasis on everyday characters and situations paved the way for the development of realistic, socially-engaged opera in the 19th century
• The use of ensemble numbers and complex finales became a staple of opera composition, particularly in works by Mozart, Rossini, and Verdi
• The comic opera tradition continued to evolve and flourish, giving rise to operetta, musical theater, and other popular forms of musical entertainment
• The democratization of opera through the rise of public opera houses and the popularity of opera buffa helped to make the art form more accessible and relevant to a wider audience
• The innovations of opera buffa composers in terms of orchestration, melodic writing, and dramatic pacing had a lasting impact on the development of classical music as a whole