Listening InQuizitive 11b: Dido and Aeneas, Act III, Lament

Which characteristics below correctly describe this recitative? recitative0:58

Correct: -no strong beat -freely sung -accompanied by a few instruments that play simple chords Incorrect: -sung quickly -strong beat -accompanied by a full orchestra

The recitative portion of Dido's Lament is accompanied by only a small portion of the orchestra (a.k.a. basso continuo). recitative0:58 True/False

true

If we assign the letter A for the first 44 seconds of this excerpt (0:00-0:44), what is the form of the entire excerpt? When I am laid in earth, may my wrongs create no trouble in thy breast. When I am laid in earth, may my wrongs create no trouble in thy breast. first two sections of aria1:19

A-A

Even though the third section has a new vocal line with new text, the ground bass continues to repeat as it did throughout the first and second sections. fourth section of aria0:38 Which best describes the form of this aria? aria, all four sections2:32

A-A-B-B

The opening section of this scene is a recitative, a solo vocal passage in which the music follows the inflections of the text. Which best describes this section? recitative0:58

Correct: -it is sung freely, with no strong beat Incorrect: -it has a strong beat -it is fast

Which are the performing forces heard in the aria "When I am laid in earth"? beginning of aria0:44

Correct: -solo voice -Baroque-period instruments Incorrect: -bass -percussion

Listen to this excerpt, then fill in the blank below. Thy hand, Belinda; darkness shades me. On thy bosom let me rest; More I would, but Death invades me; Death is now a welcome guest. _______ is singing in this excerpt.

Dido

Match the excerpted clips with the correct target from Act III of Purcell's Dido and Aeneas. Be sure to listen to the entire excerpt and match it to the target that best describes what you hear. To drag the excerpts be sure to click in the light yellow outer box; the item will not move if you click in the play button. Drag each item above to its matching item below

Remember me ...0:38 -recitative Instrumental0:12 -ground bass pattern alone When I am laid ... 0:44 -part A of the aria Thy hand, Belinda ...0:58 -part B of the aria

In the opening recitative, which best describes the accompaniment? recitative0:58

a few instruments that play simple chords

This aria is called "Dido's Lament" because Dido is lamenting the loss of Aeneas, her lover. We know it is a lament because of the text and the plot of the opera. But Purcell also lets us know it is a lament with a bass line that descends stepwise. Purcell's audiences would have known just by the music that this was an expression of deep sadness because other composers have used the same kind of bass line for the same reason. Listen carefully to the bass line throughout this excerpt. Which best describes the melodic shape of the bass line? aria0:44

descending mostly by steps

Which best describes the bass line in the third section? third section of aria0:38

descending mostly by steps

Listen to the excerpt and fill in the blank below. recitative0:44 The opening descending bass line that unifies Dido's Lament is called a(n) ___________.

ground bass

Listen to the excerpt and fill in the blank below. beginning of aria0:44 In the recitative, a few instruments play simple chords, but when the aria begins, the accompaniment changes and the instruments __________.

play notes more frequently

The rhythm of the _________ is free, and the rhythm of the ___________ is more regular. The harmony of the aria is based on a chromatic __________ that descends by half step. The slow and melancholy _________ meter expresses in the aria Dido's lamentation at Aeneas's departure.

recitative aria ground bass triple

Which best describes the speed of the aria? aria0:44

slow

Which best describes this aria? aria0:44

solo soprano singing in a slow tempo and a steady beat, accompanied by strings (bowed and plucked)

Listen to the excerpt and fill in the blanks below. Dido's Lament0:38 The role of Dido is sung by a _________ with a ________ voice.

woman high