Romanticism: Individualism, Freedom, and the Pursuit of Idealism
Romanticism: Historical and Psychological Context
Historical Circumstances
The roots of Romanticism can be traced back to 18th-century German philosophy and the Sturm und Drang (Storm and Stress) movement. This movement challenged classical artistic rules and emphasized the expression of feelings and experiences, laying the groundwork for pre-Romantic sensibilities that spread throughout Europe.
Romanticism, a major cultural phenomenon of the first half of the 19th century, influenced not only literature
Read MoreOpera and Zarzuela: A History of Musical Theater
France
Grand Opera
Characterized by a rich harmonic language and elaborate scenery, Grand Opera typically features three to five acts, ballet, and a chorus and orchestra deeply involved in the drama. It presents a succession of musical forms, including romances, cavatinas, arias, and often a passionate duet. Notable examples include Auber’s La Muette de Portici, Rossini’s William Tell, Bellini’s I Puritani, and Wagner’s Rienzi.
Opéra Comique
Favored by the bourgeoisie, Opéra Comique led to the construction
Read MoreLos Tres: Chilean Rock Band History & Legacy
Los Tres: A History of Chilean Rock
Beginnings in Concepción
Los Tres, a significant symbol of ’90s Chilean music and its resurgence in 2006, emerged from Concepción. This provincial origin contributed to their unique character, bypassing the traditional ‘capital city’ approach to a music career. The band formed through the friendship of Álvaro Henríquez (guitar, vocals), Roberto “Titae” Lindl (bass), and Francisco Molina (drums), schoolmates at Charles de Gaulle. Their early passion for music
Read MoreUnderstanding Narrative Styles and Literary Genres
Direct Style
Plasma when the narrator presents the text or dialogue of the characters directly to each other, without intervening or taking an active part in their discursive expressions. This implies that the characters themselves are speaking, evident with the use of quotes.
- “- It appears that there were no classes yesterday …”
- “- Really? If I had known, I would not have worried so much about my absence.”
Reported Speech
The narrator’s presence is shown in the discourse of the story. The narrator
Read MoreBaroque Art: Evolution and Key Characteristics
Baroque Art: 17th and 18th Centuries
Baroque art served as propaganda for the Church, absolutist states, and the Protestant bourgeoisie. It emphasized the human figure in both idealized and realistic forms.
The Baroque period is divided into three phases:
- Early/Primitive (1580-1630)
- Full (1630-1680)
- Late/Rococo (1680-1750)
Baroque Architecture
Baroque architecture is characterized by its integration with urbanism, creating scenic cities. Palaces were urban apartment buildings for powerful families, while
Read MoreStravinsky’s Rite of Spring: A Rhythmic Revolution
Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring: A Detailed Analysis
Rhythm: A Revolutionary Approach
Stravinsky’s innovative treatment of rhythm is a defining feature of The Rite of Spring. The seemingly regular division of musical strains, initially suggesting a binary rhythm, is disrupted by a striking use of syncopation and accents. Accented chords, reinforced by eight horns, punctuate the string notes, creating unusual groupings, such as 9 + 2 + 6 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 3 in the first eight bars. This rhythmic
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