Classical Period Vocal Music

While the instrumental works of the Classical era were huge, the vocal works of the time did not make much of an evolution from those of the Baroque era Vocal forms include: Opera, and sacred choral work like: Mass, Oratorio, Requiem

Opera Reformation of the opera seria, or serious opera,dramatic with historical plot. During the same time, the opera buffa, or comedic opera, began developing. This type of opera was in sharp contrast to the opera seria. It catered more to the people who wanted to "revolt" against the more serious and dramatic opera.

Church music now resembled operatic music more than ever before. Almost all composers of church music during the Classical era also composed operatic music. Masses Oratorio became operatic styled pieces of literature for the orchestra, the solo voice, and the chorus. Duets and arias even resembled operas; the only feature that distinguished them from opera was their texts.

1. The Mass Music in the Catholic Mass became very important and each part of the mass started to be written in song. Today, many major composers attempt to write a mass even if they are not Christian. 1. Kyrie- Kyrie means God have mercy. This is the first piece in a musical mass. 2. Gloria - Gloria means Glory 3. Credo- Credo means Creed of Belief. 4. Sanctus - Sanctus means Holy. 5. Benedictus- Benedictus means Blessed. 6. Agnus Dei - Lamb of Godmeans Lamb of God.

2. The Requiem Mass A requiem mass is a mass for the dead and means ‘rest’ in Latin. The parts of the funeral service slightly differ from that of the Ordinary Catholic mass. Composers of all religions also attempt to write Requiems.