Baroque Era Research Paper

The Baroque Era During the Baroque Era, a new form of music was created called opera. Opera is defined as “an extended dramatic composition, in which all parts are sung to instrumental accompaniment, that usually includes arias, choruses, and recitatives, and that sometimes includes ballet.” Around the same time that opera became popular began oratorio. Oratorio is very similar to opera except the theme of an opera normally dealt with history and mythology, including age-old devices of romance, deception, and murder, and oratorio’s were more suitably for church due to sacred topics. An opera is a drama sung from beginning to end that consists of an orchestra, singers, and a theatrical performance. Although most of an opera is sung, there
It normally consisted of an instrument that played chords and one that could hold long notes. It was used to thicken musical textures by augmenting the bass line. One of the most influential composers from the Baroque Era, Johann Sebastian Bach was born on March 21, 1685 in Eisenach. Bach, the youngest child of Johann Ambrosius Bach, and Maria Elisabeth Lämmerhirt came from a family of organists and composers including his father Johann Ambrosius Bach, who was organist of the Lutheran Church in Eisenach, and his older brother Christopher whom took over the care of Sebastian at the age of ten when their parents passed away. Although taught a little from his father and brother Christopher, Bach learned most of his musical education through independent studies. During his early years, Bach received an education at schools in Eisenach, Ohrdruf, and Lüneburg. Bach had early positions as an organist but also performed, composed, taught, and developed an interest in organ building. From 1717-1723 Bach maintained a position as Music Director for the Prince Leopold of Cüthen. Bach was appointed cantor at the St. Thomas Church and School, and Director of Music for Leipzig in 1723 where he settled during the remainder of his