Monteverdi
1567-1643 *Believed dissonant rules could be broken for dramatic effect. *Wrote 9 books of madrigals, the 5th of which was musically revolutionary.
Caccini
Fourteenth-century Italian form featuring two voices in canon over a free untexted tenor, published Le nuove musiche
Castrati
Male singers who were castrated before puberty to preserve their high vocal range, prominent in the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, especially in opera.
Frescobaldi
*The most important composer of toccatas *Organist for St. Peter’s in Rome *Raised quality of instrumental music *Wrote Fiori musicali
Scarlatti
1660-1725 *Leading opera composer in Rome and Naples *Composed over 600 Cantatas
Louis XIV
French king, under whose reign opera flourished.
Lully
1632-1687 *Dancer appointed overseer of King Louis’ chamber music. *Known for tragedie lyrique *Dictated musical taste in French music
Quinault
Librettist used by Lully—usually drama in 5 acts Serious plots drawn from mythology or chivalric tales
Purcell
1659-95 English composer, anthems, wrote Dido and Aeneas, composed incidental music for almost 50 plays, wrote music for 5 semi-operas, among other types of music
Telemann
1681-1767 Directed the Hamburg Opera and wrote numerous works for it. *Was regarded as one of the best composers of his era. *Wrote over three thousand vocal and instrumental works. *His ability to draw upon various traditions gave his music broad appeal. *He turned down an important position in Leipzig that was later given to J. S. Bach.
Buxtehude
1637-1707 *Held his post in Lubeck for almost forty years, and influenced other organists, such as J. S. Bach. *Famed for his public concerts of sacred vocal music *His works include sacred vocal music, organ music, harpsichord music, and ensemble sonatas. *Wachet auf, a sacred concerto, features a series of variations on the chorale.