A short video on Jacopo Peri

Summary

This video introduces Jacopo Peri, a composer born in Rome in 1561, who is credited with creating the world's first opera by modern standards, 'Daphne.' Peri's work, inspired by Apollo's love for the nymph Daphne, was first performed privately in 1598 during carnival. Despite most of his music being lost, the libretto survives, offering a glimpse into early operatic history. Peri's influence on later composers, like Claudio Monteverdi, is significant, and his work laid the foundation for opera's global evolution.

Takeaways

• 🎵 Jacopo Peri was a composer born in Rome in 1561, known for his significant contributions to the early development of opera.
• 🏰 Peri moved to Florence at a young age, where he joined the convent of Santa Maria and studied music, eventually working in various churches as an organist and singer.
• 🎼 He served the Medici court and was involved in the musical life of Florence, working under the patronage of the Medici family and other leading patrons.
• 🌐 'Dafne', composed by Peri, is considered the world's first opera by modern standards, with a libretto by Ottavio Rinuccini and music by Peri and Jakobaccio Corsi.
• 🎭 'Dafne' was first performed privately in 1598 during the Carnival season at the Palazzo Corsi and was later performed in subsequent years.
• 📜 Most of Peri's music has been lost, but fortunately, the libretto for 'Dafne' still exists, providing a historical record of this early opera.
• 🎉 In 1600, Peri was commissioned to write 'Euridice' for the marriage of Maria de Medicis to Henry IV of France, which was performed at the Palazzo Pitti with Peri singing the title role.
• 🎭 'Euridice' was notable for the controversy surrounding the music, as the singer was instructed to perform Giulio Caccini's music over Peri's, which was not well received.
• 📉 Despite the challenges, 'Euridice' stimulated wider interest in opera, and the art form developed significantly in the following decades.
• 🌟 Peri's influence on later composers is undeniable, although by the time of his death in 1633, his style was considered somewhat outdated compared to emerging composers like Claudio Monteverdi.

Q & A

Who is Jacopo Peri and why is he significant in the history of opera?

Jacopo Peri was an Italian composer born in 1561 in Rome. He is significant because he is regarded as the composer of the world's first opera by modern standards, 'Dafne'.

What is the name of the first opera by modern standards, and on what story is it based?

The first opera by modern standards is 'Dafne', and it is based on the story of Apollo falling in love with the nymph Daphne.

Who wrote the libretto for Jacopo Peri's opera 'Dafne'?

The libretto for 'Dafne' was written by the poet Ottavio Rinuccini.

When and where was 'Dafne' first performed?

'Dafne' was first performed privately in 1598 during the carnival season at the Palazzo Corsi in Florence.

What other opera did Jacopo Peri compose, and for what occasion?

Jacopo Peri composed the opera 'Euridice' for the occasion of Maria de Medicis' marriage to Henry IV of France.

What was unique about the performance of 'Euridice' in relation to the music and the singer?

The performance of 'Euridice' was unique because Jacopo Peri insisted that the singers perform his music and not that of Giulio Caccini, which was a point of contention.

Why were the Medici family not as enthusiastic about opera?

The Medici family was not as enthusiastic about opera because it was not a good vehicle for the propaganda they required for their court entertainments.

What happened to most of Jacopo Peri's musical compositions?

Most of Jacopo Peri's musical compositions have been lost, with only a few fragments surviving, six in total, four by Peri and two by Corsi.

What is the significance of 'Euridice' in the development of opera?

The opera 'Euridice' is significant because it stimulated wider interest in the new music and opera, which really developed as an art form over the next few decades.

How did opera evolve after the premiere of 'Dafne'?

After the premiere of 'Dafne' in 1598, opera proliferated around the world, reflecting the languages and cultures of its creators, becoming a global and versatile art form.

Who is the next composer that will be featured in the series, and how does he relate to Jacopo Peri?

The next composer to be featured in the series is Claudio Monteverdi, who was a contemporary of Jacopo Peri and whose style eventually overshadowed Peri's by the time of his death in 1633.

Outlines

00:00

🎼 Introduction to Operatic Composers

The video introduces a new series on operatic composers and their works. It acknowledges the limited material available for the first video but promises more comprehensive content in the future. The series begins with Jacopo Peri, an Italian composer born in Rome in 1561. Peri is noted for being the first to compose an opera by modern standards, 'Dafne,' with a libretto by Ottavio Rinuccini and music co-composed by Jacopo Corsi. The opera was first performed privately in 1598 during Carnival at the Palazzo Corsi and was based on the myth of Apollo and the nymph Daphne. Despite most of Peri's music being lost, the libretto survives, and his influence on later composers is significant. The video also mentions Peri's second opera, 'Euridice,' composed for the marriage of Maria de' Medici and Henry IV of France in 1600. The opera was not as successful as 'Dafne,' but it played a role in stimulating interest in the new art form of opera.

Keywords

💡Operatic Composers

Operatic composers are individuals who create music specifically for operas. They are responsible for the musical composition that accompanies the dramatic performance, including arias, recitatives, and ensemble pieces. In the context of the video, operatic composers are the central focus, with Jacopo Peri being highlighted as a pioneer in the field. His work, 'Daphne,' is considered the world's first opera by modern standards.

💡Jacopo Peri

Jacopo Peri was a prominent composer during the Italian Renaissance. He is historically significant for his contributions to the development of opera as an art form. The video script mentions that Peri was born in Rome and later became a singer and organist in Florence. His most notable work, 'Daphne,' is discussed as the world's first opera, showcasing his influence on the genre.

💡Opera

Opera is a form of theatre in which music has a leading role, typically including singing by soloists, a chorus, and orchestral accompaniment, with the story conveyed through arias, recitative, and ensemble numbers. The video emphasizes the historical significance of opera, particularly with the premiere of 'Daphne' by Jacopo Peri, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of this art form.

💡Libretto

A libretto is the text or script of an opera, which includes the lyrics and the dramatic structure of the piece. It is the foundation upon which the music is composed. In the script, the libretto for 'Daphne' is mentioned as being written by the poet Ottavio Rinuccini, working in collaboration with Peri and another composer, Jakob Accorsi.

💡Medici Court

The Medici Court refers to the artistic and political patronage of the Medici family, who were prominent rulers of Florence during the Renaissance. The video discusses how Jacopo Peri entered the service of the Medici, which provided him with opportunities to compose and perform his operatic works, including 'Daphne' and 'Euridice.'

💡Daphne

Daphne is an opera by Jacopo Peri, based on the mythological story of Apollo's love for the nymph Daphne. It is highlighted in the video as the world's first opera by modern standards. The opera was first performed privately in 1598 and is significant for its role in the development of the operatic form.

💡Euridice

Euridice is another opera by Jacopo Peri, composed for the marriage of Maria de' Medici to Henry IV of France. The video script notes that this opera was performed on a more public stage compared to 'Daphne,' and despite its initial lack of success, it contributed to the wider interest in opera as an art form.

💡Carnival

Carnival is a festive season that occurs before the liturgical season of Lent. In the context of the video, 'Daphne' was first performed during the Carnival season, indicating the cultural and social importance of such events in the history of opera and their use as occasions for the premiere of new works.

💡Musical Dramatic Spectacle

A musical dramatic spectacle refers to a theatrical performance that combines music and drama, often with elaborate staging and special effects. The video mentions such a spectacle by the poet Gabriele d'Annunzio with music by Giulio Caccini, which was part of the festivities for the wedding of Maria de' Medici, showcasing the multifaceted nature of musical entertainment during the period.

💡Claudio Monteverdi

Claudio Monteverdi was a significant composer of the early Baroque period and is mentioned in the video as an influential figure who came after Jacopo Peri. His style was more progressive and represented the evolution of operatic composition, indicating a shift from Peri's more traditional approach.

Highlights

Introduction to a series of short videos on operatic composers and their works.

Jacopo Peri, born in Rome, is a foundational figure in opera.

At a young age, Peri moved to Florence and joined the convent of Santa and on Giotto.

He studied music with Christoph Willibald Gluck and worked as a singer and organist.

Peri served the Medici court and was involved in the arts scene in Florence.

He is credited with composing the world's first opera by modern standards, 'Dafne'.

The libretto for 'Dafne' was by the poet Ottavio Rinuccini.

The opera 'Dafne' was first performed in 1598 during the carnival season.

Later versions of 'Dafne' were performed in the following years and again in 1605.

Most of Peri's music has been lost, but six fragments and the libretto remain.

In 1600, Peri was commissioned to write a second opera, 'Euridice'.

Peri sang the title role in 'Euridice' at the wedding of Maria de Medicis and Henry IV.

The opera 'Euridice' was not as successful as expected.

The Medici family was not particularly enthusiastic about opera for court entertainments.

Opera developed as an art form over the next few decades, influenced by Peri's work.

Peri's style was considered dated by the time of his death in 1633, compared to newer composers.

Opera has become a global art form, reflecting the languages and cultures of its creators.

Transcripts

[Music]

hello and welcome to our very first

foray into short videos on operatic

composers and their works this first one

is hardly groundbreaking but that is due

to the relative paucity of material

which we had to work with

in fact I am not sure at all if the

image used for the composer in question

is even him you can let me know in the

comments

very soon however these videos will

become more thorough and have increased

value as a result Jacopo Perry was born

on the 20th of August 1561 in Rome

although he went to Florence at a young

age where he entered the convent of

Santa and on Giotto in 1573 and became a

singer he also studied music with

Christopher normal vet C and went on to

work in a number of churches in Florence

both as an organist

and as a singer he entered the service

of the Medici court of Grand Duke

Ferdinand of the 1st in 1588 and was

also in the service of the mantle in

court from the early 1600s parry is

regarded as the composer of the world's

first opera by modern standards that

work was Daphne a pastoral drama based

on the story of Apollo falling in love

with the nymph Daphne the libretto was

by the poet at AVI arena Cheney

with music by Perry and Jakob Accorsi

also a composer of course and one of

Florence's leading patrons of the arts

after the Medici family Daphne was first

performed privately in 1598 during

carnival the festive season that occurs

before the liturgical season of Lent and

it took place at the Palazzo Corsi later

versions were performed in each of the

following two years and again in 1605

sadly most of Perry's music ffedith nee

has been lost saved for a few fragments

six in all four by perry and two by

Corsi fortunately however the libretto

does still exist in 1600 perry was

commissioned to write a second opera

again working with Rena Cheney as the

librettist this time on the occasion of

Maria de Medicis marriage to Henry the

fourth of France that opera was era DJ

this was

performed on the 6th of October 1600 at

the Palazzo Pitti with Perry himself

singing the title role for the wedding

in addition to the Opera there was a

musical dramatic spectacle by the poet

Gabrielle okiya Brera with music by

Giulio cuchini era DJ was marked by the

fact that Kachina insisted to the singer

sing his music and not parries and the

Opera was far from successful but the

Medicis were not so enthusiastic about

opera anyway perhaps as it was not a

good vehicle for the propaganda they

required for their court entertainments

both music and libretto have survived to

the present day

although the Opera is hardly ever staged

except perhaps as a historical curiosity

however because of the more public

circumstance surrounding the composition

of era DJ being a decisive political

event in Florence it stimulated wider

interest in the new music and opera

really developed as an art form over the

next few decades no one would question

Perry's influence on later composers but

even by the time of his death in 1633

his style was somewhat dated compared to

that of composers such as Claudio

Monteverdi

who will coincidentally be the subject

of our next video

ever since the premiere of Daphne in

1598 opera has proliferated around the

world reflecting the languages and

cultures of its creators throughout for

centuries opera has become a global

versatile artform instilled with

classical traditions

[Music]