Baroque Music (1600-1750) It was during the 17th Century that the system of modes finally crumbled away. By adding accidentals the Major/Minor key system developed. The 17th Century also saw the invention of several new forms and designs, such as: Opera Sonata Oratorio Suite Fugue Concerto The orchestra started to take shape, mainly in the strings, and the violins became the dominant instrument, and most important in orchestras. Composers of the Period Monody A monody is a single voice line supported by an instrumental bass line, upon which chords were constructed. Early Opera The first opera was written in 1597, called 'Dafne', and was composed by Peri. The Italian Overture Scarlatti's operas often began with an overture in three sections: quick, slow, quick.
The French Overture Lully's operas began with a French Overture.. slow, quick, slow. Baroque Opera in England The one great English opera of the 17th Century is 'Dido and Aeneas', and was composed by Purcell. Oratorio Passion Cantata Instrumental Music Fugue The Suite. Oratorio. History[edit] 1600, origins of the oratorio[edit] Although medieval plays such as the Ludus Danielis, and Renaissance dialogue motets such as those of the Oltremontani had characteristics of an oratorio, the first oratorio is usually seen as Emilio de Cavalieri's Rappresentatione di Anima, et di Corpo. Monteverdi composed Il Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda which can be considered as the first secular oratorio. 1650–1700[edit] By the mid-17th century, two types had developed: Lasting about 30–60 minutes, oratorio volgares were performed in two sections, separated by a sermon; their music resembles that of contemporary operas and chamber cantatas. oratorio latino (in Latin) – first developed at the Oratorio del Santissimo Crocifisso, related to the church of San Marcello al Corso in Rome.
The late baroque oratorio[edit] In the late baroque oratorios increasingly became "sacred opera". The oratorio in Georgian Britain[edit] The Victorian oratorio[edit] 20th-century oratorios[edit] Beatus Vir, Mozart's Vespers, New Haven Oratorio Choir (NHOC), Spring 2011. Bach - Christmas Oratorio (on period instruments) Musical Contexts - All About Handel - Part 1 - Who Was Handel? (Edexcel GCSE Music)