Opera seria refers to the Italian opera popular from the middle of the 17th century to the end of the 18th century.The themes of the opera are mostly taken from myths or historical stories[1-2]。
The main opera is generally divided into three acts, each of which first describes the plot with a recital, and then depicts the characters' personalities, thoughts and feelings with an aria;Its music focuses on gorgeous singing skills to be closer to the taste of the royal court[1]。
(Figure in the overview picture: Alessandro Scarlatti)
Orthodox opera was born in Italy at the beginning of the 17th century, and prevailed in Europe from the middle of the 17th century to the end of the 18th century. Its origins can be traced back to ancient Greek tragedies, medieval ritual dramas, and Renaissance pastoral and pastoral dramas[2]。
development history
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Naples music school
In the first half of the 18th century, Naples was the center of the development of Italian operaAlexandro ScarlattiAndHandelIs representative.Among them, Scarlatti is the representative composer of Naples Opera School. He has composed 115 operas, more than 100 oratorios, more than 600 cantatas, more than 200 mass songs, as well as a large number of scripture songs, pastoral songs, concertos, sonatas and variations[2]。
Alexandro Scarlatti
Among the opera works of Scarlatti, there are more than 50, most of which are orthodox operas. He is the most important composer in the period when the form of Italian orthodox operas is becoming increasingly stereotyped.In his operas, aria occupies the main position. The duet and chorus are rarely used, and the aria has expanded in scale, with more material and tonal contrast;Huaqiang is more passionate, and accompaniment is mostly written for string instruments;a literary creationda capo aria That is, the aria with two contrasting themes, a and b, returns to paragraph a when singing, and improvises with all kinds of gorgeous tunes and show off skills. The unique "bel canto" of Italian opera became popular from this time on.He also developed a fast rhythm, narrative plot of the Qingxuansuo, and accompaniment of the Qingxuansuo were applied to different scenes and drama paragraphs.In a large number of opera creation practices, he established the typical structure of the Italian opera overture, which is composed of three paragraphs, fast slow fast. He called it "Sinfonia", which is the predecessor of later symphonies.Among them, Mitridat Yupatore (1707) is the representative work of his opera[2]。
Following Scarlatti, Napoli composers who created the formal opera include Polpola, Leo and Venice's instrumental composersAntonio Vivaldietc.[2]。
The second half of the 18th century
Mozart
The composer Gluck carried out reforms against the malpractice of valuing bel canto singing over the development of drama in the formal opera, put forward the concept that "music should obey the expression requirements of drama", restrained the returning arias that destroy the continuity of drama, and tried to make the opera simple, clear, simple and moving. Orpheo and Alchester reflected his reform ideal.At the end of the 18th century, Mozart added "Idomenius" and "The Mercy of Dido" to this genre, but at this time, Zheng Opera was on the decline[2]。
nineteenth century
19th century, FranceGrand operaThe style and characteristics of the opera are quite similar to those of the orthodox opera, so that some grand operas are also called orthodox operas, such as Rossini'sWilliam Tell[2]。
Main categories
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Main themes
The theme of the opera is noble, which mostly comes from ancient Greek and Roman mythology, historical hero legends and religious stories. It was first performed in the royal palace or noble residence, and then gradually transferred to the public opera house, but always centered on the aesthetic taste of the king and the nobility[2]。
morphological structure
The formal opera usually consists of three acts, and each act has several scenes. This typical structure was gradually established by Taiwanese writer Zeno (1668-1750) in a large number of practices(Metastasio, 1698-1782) followed this layout, and further fixed the musical form of the opera as the alternate structure of recitation aria, which was used to narrate the plot,The ABA structure uses retroactive chants to express feelings, rarely uses ensemble, chorus and ballet scenes, and the role of the orchestra is also limited. Metastazio has created 27 opera books, but has been repeated more than 1000 times in a hundred years. He is an important Taiwan based writer in the field of opera.In addition, the opera is usually written and sung only in Italian. There are 6 to 7 actors, and eunuchs often play important roles. They are famous for their brilliant beautiful voice and skills, and they are the focus of attention in the opera[2]。
Singing style
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Singing characteristics
The bel canto vocal art in the period of Zheng Opera has three characteristics: first, vocal educators who train singing methods with bel canto have emerged;Second, the stage singing art, which takes the theater as the main performance place, has made certain achievements;Third, a number of outstanding singers with world level and influence have emerged.These marks the first "golden age" of European vocal art[3]。
Singers
Eunuch singer
Farinari
The period of ZhengOpera is the first time that a singer can create brilliance on the stage.The beautiful voice and superb skills of eunuch singers are not only to please people, but also to create an impressive artistic model.Among them, there are Perry, Tosi, Pistochi, Benazir, Popola, etc. who have contributed to the development of vocal music art, especially vocal music education;There are also many eunuch singers who should leave their names in the history of vocal music, such as Baldasale Fili, Nicolino, Senecilo, Giovanni Calistini, KafariliFarinarietc.[4]。
Female singer
During the period of ZhengOpera, eunuchs had advantages in both quantity and quality, and female singers were relatively rare compared with them.These few female singers are mostly eunuch singers' students, and they receive the same training methods and songs as eunuch singers.The best of them can also compete with the outstanding male and female singers, including Faustina Bourdoni, Mara, Angelica Cartalani, etc[4]。
Male singer
Just as there were a number of outstanding female singers in this period, there were also a number of outstanding male singers, including Anton Lafu and Giovanni Ba Roubini, when Mantai was a eunuch singer.Several of them also gained reputation;More importantly, they became the important transitional figures who gradually took over the eunuch singers and thus established the hero's position in the pattern historically[4]。
representative figure
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time
composer
Main contributions or representative works
1660-1725
Alexandro Scarlatti
The representative of the opera is Mitridat Yupatore.
1686-1768
Polpola
The young generation of Naples composers of the opera.
1694-1744
Leo
The young generation of Naples composers of the opera.
