Baroque Period Essay

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The Baroque Period, starting from the beginning of the 17th century to mid 18th century, was a period that continued to build upon the individualism of the Renaissance period and discover new ideas. From new and significant discoveries in science from people such as Galileo, to mathematical advances from people such as Isaac Newton, people were transitioning from being oblivious to the world to being more aware of the world around them. The music of the baroque period reflected the ambition of the new and radical changes. Well known composers such as Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, and Monteverdi were writing in newly unheard and revolutionary musical concepts, and were popularizing genres such as opera, and emphasizing the use of instruments barely used before such as the harpsichord, and the woodwinds. Their musical legacy continues to live on to this day, and is a wonderful discovery of beautifully composed compositions that continues to be performed worldwide by professional orchestras and bands. But, the Baroque period also had a treasure of hidden gems. There were many unknown composers, and artists that had composed or drew wonderful masterpieces, but were left out the spotlight, and one of them is a composer named Agostino Steffani. …show more content…

Steffani operated in the Hanoverian court, where resided the famous philosopher, Leibniz with whom he was on intimate terms with, where he worked under Duke Ernst August of 1688-1703 and helped to shape the entire court culture that cannot be overestimated. He not only fixed the opera Henrico Leone (Enrico Leone) composed for the grand opening of the new Opera House in 1689 in Hanover, but he has also negotiated by his diplomatic skills, the electoral dignity for Duke Ernst August of Hanover. Along with Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz and Princess Sophie, he was the spiritual inner circle of the court belonging. Steffani seemed to fluctuate in his career. He was constantly working under a different employer. In 1698, he took up his residence at the Court of the Elector Palatine, at Düsseldorf. While continuing to practice music, he became important as a diplomat based in Düsseldorf, Le