The baroque style of music was different than its predecessor the renaissance period, because music during the renaissance period was sung in the a cappella choral style, while in the baroque era instruments played a huge role. A major part of the baroque era was the introduction of a solo style. Also opera first appeared in the early baroque era. Monteverdi wrote the first operas of the baroque period. Opera and solo singing helped form the baroque style, and this style was mainly a part of church music. However, there were choral melodies created by artists like J.S. Bach. Bach was a great composer of choral and vocal music, many of these being the cantatas that he wrote. His harmonies are still used today as models of part writing. But, the Baroque period was known more for its solo and operatic style than for the choral style. The use of instruments like the organ or whole orchestras , enhanced the sound of the choir and added to the richness of Baroque choral music.
II. Personalities politics, govt., historical figures.
Europe and specifically England under went political and social reconstruction during this era after the Thirty Years' War began during the reign of Ferdinand III (r. 1637-57) and continued through the reign of his son, Leopold I (r. 1658-1705). During the Baroque Era, there were expulsions of many protestant churches, and the Catholic Church nearly wipe out Protestant power. Catholic missionaries were appointed to Protestant areas. Many Protestants emigrated from Europe, nearly 40,000 people between 1647 and 1652. .
The Jesuits led the effort to control education, greatly influencing Central European society. Benedictine, Cistercian, and Augustinian monks also came into power. Catholicism found a new flame during the Baroque period. Also in Europe, there was a high rise of nationalism. Patriotism spread throughout the countries of Europe. People took pride in their nations, and their rulers used this pride to build their empire.
