Chapter 8 Prelude : The Late Baroque Period

1. Chapter 8Prelude: The Late Baroque Period Musical Life in the Early Eighteenth Century

2. Church Court Opera house Key Terms

3. Musical Life in the Early Eighteenth Century • Importance of crafts in Baroque era • Chippendale furniture, Paul Revere silver, Stradivarius violins • Music also regarded as a craft • Composers not unique artists, but artisans who produced music to order for their patrons • Thus, music often anonymous in character • Three main institutions supported music • The church • The court • The opera house

4. The Church • Expectations of church composers— • Compose or improvise new music for worship • Play or lead performances of their music • For special occasions, provide elaborate music for chorus, soloists, & instruments • Train boys who sang in choirs • Organists play preludes, accompaniments to solemn moments, & postludes • Increasing desire for keyboard, chamber, and even orchestral works

5. The Court • Status equivalent to court painter or chef • Composers worked at whim of masters, but enjoyed secure existence & pension • Composers had to be prolific • Musicians’ prestige & working conditions varied from court to court • More opportunities for travel • Easier to keep up with trends, new developments in music

6. The Opera House • Originally attached to courts • Starting in 1637, public opera houses were the first musical institution supported by paid admission • Solo singers were the stars • Composers wrote (and often rewrote) music to show off solo singers’ talents • Composers often conducted their operas from the harpsichord