Baroque Vocal Music
Opera
the principal genre of secular vocal music.
Italian Opera Seria
The principal type of Italian Baroque opera, serious opera.
The text of an opera is called the libretto (“little book”), and the poet who wrote is the librettist
Recitative
- secco recitative: with continuo accompaniment.
- accompanied recitative: with orchestral accompaniment.
Aria
standard form: de capo form: A B A
Oratorio
An oratorio is basically an opera on a religious subject.
The Church Cantata
Cantata is a general name for a piece of moderate length for voices and instruments.
The Lutheran Chorale
Lutheran hymns are called chorales.