FERTILE GROUNDS FOR OPERA

The early 18 th century was an age of exuberance

and appealed to the senses. Whether, through fashion, architecture, visual art, or music, the cultural world displayed an opulence and celebrated abundance, wealth, and prosperity. Think of pieces in an art museum like the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, where the intricate, gilded pieces with swirling brush strokes and vibrant colors catch your eye. The nobility and the Catholic Church held considerable sway over the creation of these works, as they were the primary commissioners and funders; and therefore, the content was devoted to the splendor of the divine. Baroque architecture, such as King Louis XIV’s ornate Palace of Versailles outside of Paris, France, was built to display the expansive power, wealth, and elegance of the monarch. Visual artists who were well-known during this time included Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and Rubens.

The explosion of creation during the Baroque era along with the trend for powerful nobility to display their wealth through the commissioning of these works, led to the popularity of art and music during this time, and increased its access. Benefactors sponsored performances of pieces they commissioned, and opened attendance beyond their small social circles, creating large festivals and the emergence of opera houses for the general public. Music was commissioned for important occasions like high masses or coronations. Handel’s own Messiah (1741), is perhaps the most famous example.

Example of Baroque architecture, Church of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Rome, Italy. Designed in 17 th century.

Golden gate entrance to the Palace of Versailles, France.

Handel and his contemporaries, including Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) and Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757), defined Baroque music through their musical contributions and innovations. They laid the groundwork for the next musical era to emerge—the Classical Era, which further structured and layered the newly invented musical forms.

This “early-music” faded into history for

around a century until it was revived in

the 20 th century with renewed interest in

historical performance practices. Today there are hundreds of ensembles dedicated to the

performance of Baroque music. The music

influenced 20 th century composers, namely

Ralph Vaugh as well as other musical genres, such as Jazz and Musical Theater.

Baroque in Boston Boston is home to one of the oldest historical performance ensembles in the United States, The Handel & Haydn Society. Founded in 1815, H+H is still infamous for Baroque and early Classical performances—often on historically accurate instruments.

HAVE YOU HEARD THIS MUSIC? Aside from Handel’s music, perhaps one of the most recognizable tunes from the Baroque period is one by German composer Johann Pachelbel composed sometime during the 17 th century: his Canon in D major. Its popularity soon faded into history until musicians in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s revived it from relative obscurity hundreds of years later. It became so popular, it reached number one in the classical music charts in 1982! It has been used in soundtracks of major films, and even pop and rock bands were inspired by the structure. If nowhere else, you have likely heard it at a wedding or a funeral, as it is frequently used as part of ceremonies since the 1980s. Announcement for Handel & Hayden Society 1861 Christmas Concert, featuring Handel’s Messiah.

DISCUSS: How does Baroque artists’ work influence arts and culture today?