Discuss the popularity of opera and melodrama in Europe in the 19th Century. Why was the music of Verdi and Puccini so very popular? What celebration was the Opera Aida commissioned for? What is the difference between an Aria and a Recitative? 20th Century and Beyond. Musical Styles, Musicians, Impressionism, Symbolism. Listen to the musical selections. Rapid changes and radical breaks from the earlier traditions. New chord structures. Has Stravinsky's, Rite of Spring lost some of its shock value over time? Discuss the pros and cons of commissions and government support of the arts. What are some of the characteristics of Impressionism? What is a pentatonic scale? What is dodecaphonic or 12 tone serial writing? Who created this form of composition? The term and compositional style Concerto has changed at least 3 times in the last 300 years. How the "concerto" has changed.