Opera Flashcards: Mozart

Study Notes

Mozart

Born in 1756 in Salzburg, baptized as Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart.
Prodigious talent; composed at age five and performed for royalty from a young age.
Engaged at Salzburg court at 17; later moved to Vienna, achieving fame yet facing financial instability.
Composed over 600 works, including iconic symphonies, concertos, operas, and parts of the unfinished Requiem.
Influential on Western art music; Beethoven and Haydn noted his exceptional talent and impact.
Blended Stile galant with Baroque aesthetics in his music.

Singspiel

A lighter genre of opera, featuring German dialogues and folk-like arias.
Exemplified by works such as "Die Zauberflote" and "Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail."

Opera Seria

A serious Italian opera style with prominent works including "La Clemenza" and "Idomeneo."
Predominantly popular between 1710 and 1770.

Opera Buffa

Derived from commedia dell'arte, characterized by comedic themes.
Key operas include "Cosi fan tutte," "Don Giovanni," and "La Finta Giardiniera."

Dramma Giocoso

A style blending serious and comedic elements found in "Don Giovanni" and "Cosi fan tutte."

Mozart Ensembles

Known for his genius in creating individual characters within ensemble pieces.

Mozart's Da Ponte Operas

A trilogy consisting of "Nozze di Figaro," followed by "Don Giovanni," and "Cosi fan tutte."

Giuseppe Verdi

Composed 27 operas over four notable periods, beginning with "Oberto" in 1839 and concluding with "Falstaff" in 1893.
Influenced by Bellini’s aesthetic, focusing on vocal lines in his compositions.

Verdi's Early Period

Lasted from 1839 to 1850, producing 16 operas amid political unrest in Italy.
Nabucco (1842) marked his first major success, featuring the nationalistic "Va Pensiero."
Employed "Code Rossini," capturing typical elements of Italian opera, including arias and ensemble formats.

Verdi's Middle Period

Spanning 1849 to 1859, this era reflected a transformation in operatic structure and detail.
Key works like "Rigoletto" signaled a departure from traditional Italian opera forms, heralding a new artistic direction.
Focused on more sophisticated storytelling and character development.

Description

Test your knowledge on the life and works of Mozart, a key figure in the Classical music era. These flashcards cover important facts about his compositions, early life, and contributions to music. Perfect for music students and enthusiasts alike!