Birth of Opera and Early Musical Forms
Origins of Opera in Florence
At the end of the 16th century, in Florence, a circle of scholars sponsored by Count Giovanni Bardi created a society called Camerata Fiorentina, aimed at the study and critical discussion of the arts, especially drama and music. On discovering that ancient Greek theatre was sung, they had the idea of setting dramatic texts to music of a profane character, which germinated into opera (opera in musica was the name given to it by the Camerata).
One of the members of the
Read MoreLyrics Analysis: “Rude” by MAGIC! and “So Rude” by Tee Grizzley
“Rude” by MAGIC! and “So Rude” by Tee Grizzley: A Lyrical Comparison
MAGIC! – “Rude” Lyrics
Saturday morning jumped out of bed and put on my best suit
Got in my car and raced like a jet, all the way to you
Knocked on your door with heart in my hand
To ask you a question
‘Cause I know that you’re an old-fashioned man, yeah, yeah
Can I have your daughter for the rest of my life?
Say yes, say yes ’cause I need to know
You say I’ll never get your blessing ’til the day I die
Tough luck, my friend, but the answer
18th Century Opera Seria: Aria, Recitative, and Affect
Opera Seria in the 18th Century
Aria and Recitative
Pietro Metastasio, libretto by Demetrio, 1734: The text for the aria begins here: while the dialogue above it is written in prose, the text of the aria is poetry (rhyme, verse etc.). The text of the aria is indented and set in a different, even larger type. The parts written in prose are then set to music as recitative by the composer, the poetic parts as arias.
Recitativo secco (Hasse, Ezio, 1730): The prose texts of the libretto are set to music
Read MoreCharles Highway: A Self-Introduction
Charles Highway: A Personal Reflection
My name is Charles Highway, though if you could see me, you would certainly never imagine it. It’s a strong name, well-traveled, cipotudo, and I look like no one would follow any of those qualities. To begin with, I have worn glasses since I was nine.
My name is Charles Highway, though if you could see me, you would certainly never imagine it. It’s a strong name, well-traveled, cipotudo, and I look like no one would follow any of those qualities. To begin with,
Rude & She Looks So Perfect: Lyrics Analysis
Rude
Saturday morning jumped out of bed
And put on my best suit
Got in my car and raced like a jet, all the way to you
Knocked on your door with heart in my hand
To ask you a question
‘Cause I know that you’re an old-fashioned man, yeah, yeah
Can I have your daughter for the rest of my life?
Say yes, say yes ’cause I need to know
You say, “I’ll never get your blessing ’til the day I die
Tough luck, my friend, but the answer is no! “
Why you gotta be so rude?
Don’t you know I’m human, too?
Why you
The Power of Love: A Song Compilation
Here I Go Again
I don’t know where I’m going
But I sure know where I’ve been
Hanging on the promises in songs of yesterday
And I’ve made up my mind
I ain’t wasting no more time
Here I go again
Here I go again
Though I keep searching for an answer
I never seem to find what I’m looking for
Lord, I pray you give me strength to carry on
‘Cause I know what it means
To walk along the lonely street of dreams
Here I go again on my own
Going down the only road I’ve ever known
Like a drifter, I was born to walk alone
But