The Oratorio

Catalog description

This course surveys the oratorio genre from ca. 1600 to 1900 through the study of selected repertory from the perspective of style analysis, socio-cultural history and performance practice. Repertory will range from standard pieces by Carissimi, Handel, Haydn, Mendelssohn, and Elgar to lesser-known pieces by Cavalieri, Marc-Antoine Charpentier, Schumann and others. Because of the genre's unique aural emphasis on text and music at the expense of visual aspects like staging and acting, emphasis will be placed on the composer as an exegete, i.e. as a musical interpreter of the text and the drama. Although prior knowledge of foreign languages (Italian, French and German) is useful, it is not required for the course. Text and translations will be provided.