=Influence of the Opera on Music in General=.—These alternations have had a powerful effect on the development of music in general, an effect both technical and expressive in nature. From the harpsichord and the few viols used at first merely to support the voice and to give it pitch, the orchestra expanded into a large body of instruments capable in itself of dramatic utterance. From the tiny ritornello of eight measures played by three flutes in Peri’s _Euridice_, there has grown an independent instrumental art of vast significance. The opera also created a school of singing which though often unworthily used for purposes of purely personal display is the basis of the vocal art of today. In short, it is not too much to say that the little band of scholars and musicians who met three centuries ago with the aim of reviving a lost art practically originated a new one. REFERENCES. Finck.—Wagner and His Works. Modern Composers and Their Works. QUESTIONS. Give an account of Wagner’s theory of the Music Drama. What is meant by the term Leading Motive? Unending melody? What works compose the Ring series? Tell about “Tristan und Isolde,” “Die Meistersinger.” In what city was a theatre built for Wagner’s dramas? Describe “Parsifal.” What composers has Wagner influenced? What was his influence on French composers and the names of those most prominent; their works? What was his influence upon the Young Italian school? Who are the prominent members of that school? What changes did Verdi show in his latest works? What are the characteristics of the various schools? Give a résumé of the development of opera. What has been the influence of opera upon music? REVIEW SUGGESTIONS, LESSONS XXXVII TO XL. What was the effect of the Romantic movement on the Opera? Write a sketch of Weber and his work in Opera. What differences are there between Opéra Comique and Grand Opéra? Compare the works of Spohr and Marschner with those of Weber. Describe the typical Opéra Comique and name some notable work in this style. What changes took place in Grand Opéra through the influence of Auber and Meyerbeer? State the differences between the German, French and Italian opera styles. Write a sketch of Verdi and his works. Give an account of Wagner and the works of his first period. His second period. What was Wagner’s theory of the music drama? Explain the two essential principles he used. Describe Wagner’s later works: “Ring” series, “Tristan und Isolde,” “Die Meistersinger,” “Parsifal.” (Each one may be made the subject of an essay.) How did Wagner influence opera in Italy and in France? Give a sketch of the later schools of opera. LESSON XLI. PIANO PLAYING AND COMPOSITION: CLEMENTI TO FIELD.