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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 10 page research paper that discusses Monteverdi’s opera Orfeo, whose full title is La Favola d’Orfeo (The Legend of Orpheus), is recognized as one of the earliest operas. It was composed by Claudio Monteverdi, with a libretto by Alessandro Striggio, and debuted at the annual carnival of the city of Mantua in 1607. The writer summarizes the plot, but concentrates on offering musical analysis. Bibliography lists 12 sources.
Page Count:
10 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khorfeo.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
by Alessandro Striggio, and debuted at the annual carnival of the city of Mantua in 1607. In the strictest sense, Orfeo is not the earliest example of opera, as there
are earlier works; however, Orfeo is generally acknowledged to be the first "fully fledged opera."i Orfeo was composed "under the auspices of an academy...the Accademia degli Invaghiti" and its first
performance was, specifically, at the Mantuan court during the Carnival season of 1607.ii The score of Orfeo can be summarized as a "highly original synthesis of elements" that originated
a "new style of theatrical recitative," which was combined with the "traditional forms of madrigal and intermedio."iii As this suggests, Orfeo is a landmark work in the history of opera.
Orfeo has historical significance as it can be viewed as a culmination of Renaissance musical trends, however, it can also be appreciated for its extraordinary beauty. In this regard, examination
of this first full-fledged opera illustrates why it continues to be produced and performed today. Monteverdi and his innovations Claludio Monteverdi (1567-1643) is considered to have captured the "dramatic spirit
of he Baroque" in his music.iv Monteverdis Orfeo is also pivotal to the way in which modern scholars understand the development of his music.v Monteverdis career falls into two major
divisions.vi For twelve years he wrote music as a member of the court of the Duke of Mantua, before being appointed as choirmaster at St. Marks Cathedral in Venice.vii In
addition to his operas, Monteverdi wrote ballets, madrigals and numerous religious works into which he embedded "an emotional intensity that was new to music."viii Also, Monteverdi invented the Stile
concitato or "agitated style," which was used to convey the "hidden tremors of the soul."ix He is also responsible for such innovations as using "tremolo and pizzicato as symbols of
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