A Complete History of Music / for Schools, Clubs, and Private Reading

by W. J. Baltzell

• References.
• Symonds.—The Renaissance in Italy.
• Apthorp.—Opera Past and Present.
• Grove.—Dictionary of Music and Musicians.
• Articles on subjects mentioned in this and following lessons.
• Streatfeild.—The Opera.
• These general works serve for other lessons on the opera.

Questions and Suggestions.

What was the Renaissance?

What was the effect of this idea on music?

What was the origin of Recitative?

What was understood by Nuove Musiche?

Who wrote the first opera? What term was applied to this kind of musical work?

Give a description of the early opera.

Give an account of the Florentine school and their fundamental ideas.

Since the beginning of the Opera is practically the beginning of a century, the 17th, it should not be a difficult matter to keep this date in mind. It therefore antedates the settlement at Jamestown, Va., by a few years, making the beginning of American history under English auspices and the Opera coincide.