Late Renaissance

1. Late Renaissance On the Brink of the Baroque

2. Florentine Camerata • Group of intellectuals, musicians, philosophers, and poets who met to discuss attempt to influence trends in the arts • Sponsored by Count Giovanni de Bardi • Members included composers GiulioCaccini, PieroStrozzi, and Vincenzo Galilei (father of Galileo Galilei) • Believed that music had become corrupt, and by returning to the forms and style of the ancient Greeks, music and society could be improved

3. The Camerata on Vocal Music • Sung music should be easily understood—an increase in interest on using vernacular language • The words were the most important element; the music should be composed to support them • Polyphony obscured the understanding of the words • Looked at the “purer” music of the Greeks for inspiration • Monody and recitative were created as a result

4. Monody • Monody • Simple single vocal melody with instrumental accompaniment playing chords underneath • Melody designed to reflect the natural rhythm and accents of the text • Became know as stile recitativo; led to the development of opera • Example: Amarilli Mia Bella by GiulioCaccini

5. Monteverdi • Epitomized the transition from late Renaissance to early Baroque style of composition • Composed many madrigals. Many incorporated instrumental accompaniment. Example: Ahi, come a un vago sol • Used basso continuo • One of the first composers of opera—L’Orfeo is is most well-known. Example: L’Orfeo