The Baroque Era (1600-1750)

Critical Thinking Questions

1. What important forms of music were popular during the Baroque era?
2. ​How is opera different that musical theater?
3. Who were examples of Baroque style composers?
4. ​What instruments were developed during the Baroque era?

An Overview of the Baroque Era

Baroque era music is a beautiful and ornate style of classical music that was popular in Europe from the early 1600s to the mid-1700s. This musical period was named after the Baroque period, which was a time of great artistic innovation and achievement. During this time, many new musical forms were developed, including opera, sonatas, and concertos. These new forms allowed composers to express emotions and ideas in new and exciting ways through their music.
Some of the most important and influential composers of the Baroque era were Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel. Bach was a German composer and musician known for his complex harmonies, use of counterpoint, and emotional depth. Handel, also a German composer, was known for his operas, oratorios, and instrumental music, and his most famous work is the oratorio “Messiah.” One of the unique features of Baroque music was the use of improvisation. Many pieces performed during this time were not written down, but were instead improvised by the musicians, which allowed for a great deal of creativity and spontaneity in performances. Another unique feature was the development of new musical instruments such as the harpsichord and the violin. These instruments allowed for new sounds and textures to be created in music.

Baroque Era Vocabulary 

1. Oratorio – A large-scale musical work for orchestra and voice, typically religious in theme, but performed without the use of costumes, scenery, or action. Examples of oratorios include Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, Handel’s Messiah, and Haydn’s The Creation.
2. Improvisation – Performing music spontaneously, often over a planned chord structure.
3. Opera – A form of music that combined singing, acting, and dance.
4. Sonata – A composition for an instrument soloist which can be broken into three parts: exposition, development, and recapitulation. 
5. Concerto – Composition featuring a solo instrument or group of instruments playing with an orchestra

What is Opera?

Opera was one of the most important musical forms of the Baroque period. The term “Opera” means opus or artistic work. It is a form of musical theater that combines singing, acting, and sometimes dance. Normally, an opera is a collaboration between a Librettist (lyric writer) and a composer (music writer). An opera is performed on stage and accompanied by an orchestra. Operas would have been understood by the audience of the time, although today we may go to an opera and need to read subtitles. There are different types of operas. Opera seria (serious opera) and opera buffa (comic opera) were two important styles developed towards the end of the 18th century. Opera is different than musical theater because musicals have speaking parts in between the music, but operas only have singing throughout. Arias are the songs in the opera and recitative is speech-like singing that takes place when the characters of an opera speak.

Origins of Opera

The earliest opera was written by Jacopo Peri in 1597 and is called Dafne. A wealthy family known as the Medici family funded the first operas to be written. They wanted to copy Greek music but didn’t do a good job and instead created something new. Although Dafne has been lost to history, Peri’s second opera Euridice, written for the wedding of Marie de Medici and Henry IV in 1600, is still performed today.

Many of the greatest composers of the Baroque period, including Handel and Bach, wrote operas. Later, opera would be written in many different languages and include extravagant stage and costume designs. Opera is still considered a major art form.

The Concerto

Another important form was the concerto, which featured a solo instrument or group of instruments playing with an orchestra. Concertos are pieces of instrumental music written for a solo instrument accompanied by an orchestra. Concertos became popular during the late Baroque era.  Concertos typically follow a three movement form. The first movement is often slow and the second movements are faster.

Today, the music of the Baroque period continues to be studied and enjoyed by musicians and music lovers around the world. Its intricate melodies, complex harmonies, and emotional depth make it a timeless and captivating style of music that continues to inspire new generations of musicians and listeners alike. To learn more about Baroque composers and instruments, click the links.