Research Paper On Jacopo Peri

The Camerata and Peri

Names previously mentioned, Jacopo Peri and the Camerata were instrumental in the initial development of the opera and laid down the foundation for the musical vehicle of generations of expression.

Jacopo Peri (20 August 1561 – 12 August 1633) was an esteemed court musician and composer from Italy. In musical history he is often cited as the transition composer between the Baroque and Renaissance periods. He is also attributed as the creator of opera. Dafne was composed in 1597 and it is the earliest known opera to be written however no copies exist. Euridice, composed in 1600, is the earliest known opera that has survived to present. Peri, although born in Rome, was a Florentine musician and developed that which the

It would seem like a tall order by any standard.

Claudio Monteverdi, more than any other composer, defined the transition between the Renaissance style and the Baroque. Although his earlier choral works reflect the lavish chromatic style of the Renaissance, Monteverdi not only embraced the simpler Baroque style but eventually became its greatest advocate. L’Orfeo, his opera, would mark the beginning of the new era.

Monteverdi was a young musician, having published his first works at age 15, and a second set 8 years later. At this time in his life, performing was his livelihood and eventually it landed him a low set spot in the Mantuan Court. It is here where he met his wife Claudia Cattaneo, the daughter of his colleague.

Monteverdi lacked enjoyment for his employment and later moved to Cremona, his home town. A year later he moved to Venice where he worked as the prestigious maestro di capella at St Marks Basilica. In addition to his duties he still took on outside commissions, including his former employers of the Mantuan

Sarastro, the High Priest of Isis and Osiris, leads Tamino through his search for wisdom, and symbolizes the power of reason. The Queen of the Night represents irrationality. She will stop at nothing to destroy Sarastro, and tries desperately to lure Tamino and Pamina into her power.

The mood in Mozart's The Magic Flute is often solemn, but being a great dramatist, Mozart knew his story would benefit from a little comic relief. The opera's lightest moments come courtesy of the birdcatcher, Papageno, Tamino's nutty sidekick. Papageno is less interested in Reason than he is in finding a wife, and one of the opera's most charming moments comes when he's finally united with his equally flighty soul mate, Papagena.

In this Opera, the significance comes across in the form of singspiel, a technique whereby the singers talk-sing instead of recitatives. Also hidden amongst the beautiful music, lay some dark and well kept secrets. This caused much controversy in Mozart’s