Alessandro Scarlatti

Definition

Alessandro Scarlatti was an Italian composer active during the late 17th and early 18th centuries, known primarily for his operas and sacred music. He played a crucial role in the development of the oratorio and helped to shape the Baroque style with his innovative use of melody, harmony, and structure, influencing composers like Handel and establishing musical forms that would become prevalent in the subsequent generation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Scarlatti was born in 1660 in Palermo, Italy, and later moved to Naples, where he became a prominent figure in the music scene.
2. He composed over 100 operas and many sacred works, including oratorios that showcased his skill in blending dramatic narrative with musical expression.
3. Scarlatti's influence is evident in Handel's compositions, particularly in how Handel adopted elements of Scarlatti's vocal writing and orchestration techniques.
4. He is credited with helping to establish the Italian overture form, which became a standard introduction for operas and orchestral works.
5. Scarlatti's music often features intricate counterpoint and expressive melodies that reflect the emotional depth characteristic of the Baroque style.

Review Questions

• How did Alessandro Scarlatti contribute to the evolution of the oratorio during the Baroque period?
  • Alessandro Scarlatti significantly influenced the oratorio by introducing innovative melodic structures and emotional depth in his compositions. His works often featured dramatic storytelling through music, blending traditional sacred themes with expressive musical language. This approach not only enhanced the popularity of the oratorio but also set a precedent for future composers to explore new forms of musical expression within this genre.
• In what ways did Scarlatti's compositions impact George Frideric Handel's instrumental works and concerti grossi?
  • Scarlatti's compositions had a profound impact on Handel's works by introducing elements such as rich melodic lines and complex harmonies. Handel admired Scarlatti's vocal writing and incorporated similar stylistic features into his own concertos and instrumental pieces. The influence of Scarlatti can be seen in Handel's use of contrast and thematic development, which helped to elevate the concerto grosso form during this period.
• Evaluate Alessandro Scarlatti's overall significance in shaping Baroque music, particularly regarding opera and choral genres.
  • Alessandro Scarlatti's significance in shaping Baroque music lies in his ability to merge emotional expression with technical innovation across opera and choral genres. He pioneered developments in operatic form through his extensive use of da capo arias, allowing for greater emotional nuance within performances. Additionally, his contributions to the oratorio genre laid groundwork that would inspire later composers, including Handel, helping to establish a tradition that defined Baroque music as both artistically rich and emotionally resonant.

Related terms

Oratorio:

A large-scale musical work for orchestra and voices that tells a sacred story, typically performed without staging or costumes.

Da Capo Aria: A musical form commonly used in operas and oratorios in the Baroque period, featuring a three-part structure with an A section that is repeated after a contrasting B section.

Neapolitan School: A group of composers from Naples, including Scarlatti, who significantly influenced the development of opera and vocal music during the late 17th and early 18th centuries.