Chapter 8: Prelude: The Late Baroque Period
Key Terms
baroque absolutism Age of Science theatricality
Late Baroque Timeline
Late Baroque Period (c. 17001750)
Age of Absolutism
decreasing power of church rise of absolute monarchs (Louis XIV) pomp and splendor (Versailles)
Age of Science
development of scientific methods and technology new theories about the natural world advent of empiricism
Art and Absolutism
royal patronage of arts
courts throughout Europe imitated France rules vied with each other through art
arts political function
to reflect and symbolize the majesty of the state to stupefy with its grandeur
The Music of Absolutism
music required for court life
to pay homage to nobles to play for ceremonies to entertain at banquets and balls
opera closely associated with courts
expensive, spectacular entertainment allegorical tributes to noble patrons
A Golden Age of Theatre
Baroque obsession with emotional extremes all arts take on a dramatic quality
theatre: Shakespeare, Corneille, Racine art: Tiepolo, Guercino, Rembrandt music: invention of opera
Sciences Impact on the Arts
painting
scientific observation detail and perspective optics attention to light
architecture
symmetry and geometry grandeur and scale of Versailles regulation of nature formal gardens
theater
mathematics and machinery Bibienas set designs
Sciences Impact on Music
scales tempered more precisely more systematic use of harmony new regularity in rhythm orderly formal schemes emotions (affects) analyzed and classified
Musical Life in the Late Baroque Period
composer as artisan
producing a made-to-order craft for patrons music often anonymous in character
three main institutions for music
church court opera house
Church Composers
composed or improvised new music for worship played and led performances provided elaborate works for special occasions trained choirboys responded to increasing desire for keyboard, chamber, even orchestral works
Court Composers
employee of the court, producing music to order had to be prolific enjoyed secure existence could travel and encounter new trends
Opera House Musicians
supported by the public (paid admission) solo singers were the stars composers wrote and rewrote music to show off singers talents composers often conducted their operas from the harpsichord