The primary difference between classical and romantic opera lies in their structure and musical flow, particularly concerning the use of distinct musical sections.
Based on insights into operatic development:
Structural Differences in Opera Eras
While classical opera often follows a clear, segmented structure of recitative, aria, and repeat, romantic opera tends to be more through-composed. This means the music in romantic opera flows more continuously, closely following the text and dramatic action, rather than being broken up into separate, stand-alone musical numbers as frequently seen in the classical period.
Let's break down these terms:
- Recitative: Sung dialogue that moves the plot forward. It's often rhythmically free and mimics speech.
- Aria: A solo song where a character expresses emotions or reflects on the action. Arias in classical opera often had clear, repeatable structures (like AABA). The "repeat" aspect of classical opera often refers to the structured, sometimes repetitive, forms within arias.
- Through-composed: Music that continues from beginning to end without repetitions of large sections, adapting to the text and dramatic needs as it progresses.
Classical vs. Romantic Opera Structure
Here's a simple comparison based on this key difference:
| Aspect | Classical Opera | Romantic Opera |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Often sectional: Recitative, Aria, Repeat | Tends to be more Through-composed |
| Flow | Clear divisions between sung speech and songs | More continuous musical development |
Remaining Conventions
It is important to note that even as romantic opera moved towards a more through-composed style, some classical conventions persisted. For example, it remained common for a scene to conclude with a significant, often powerful, aria. Librettists (who write the opera's text) and composers alike needed to understand these evolving structural preferences.
In essence, while classical opera often felt like a series of distinct musical 'numbers' connected by recitative, romantic opera favored a more unified, flowing musical landscape that mirrored the developing drama more directly.
