Skype A Huge Advancement in Communication Systems

Introduction Skype can be considered a significant advancement in information technologies because it offers a number of efficient communication devices promoting interaction between people (Skype, 2012).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Skype: A Huge Advancement in Communication Systems specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The software has a number of useful functions ensuring successful information exchange, including video calling, conference calling, calling from ordinary phones and calling from Skype to telephones (Skype, 2012). Instant messages are also possible and, people can communicate freely regardless of the distance and location. What is more important is that Skype allows communicating with friends and relatives for free. Background The emergence and development of Skype dates back to 2003 when Janus Friss and Niklas Zennstrom founded the communication system (Mohr et al., 2009). At the end of 2005, Skyp e was purchased by eBay for assisting the company to increase the number of users, as well as extend its revenues (Mohr et al., 2009). Three years later, about 276 million users all over the world communicated via Skype using free video and voice calls. However, the software owners were not satisfied with the number of registered users because of poor revenues received from the service. Main Discussion Potential Benefits Zennstrom and Friss’s invention introduces voice communication of exceptional quality to any user having Internet connection all over the world. Easy download and installing is among the main benefits of the Skype software. Other than that, the program ensures free video and conference calls online. The software services also offer low-cost connectivity to mobile and ordinary telephones. In addition, Skype also provides a variety of features, including instant messaging, voicemail, and call forwarding.Advertising Looking for essay on communications medi a? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Apart from these functions, the Skype has gained popularity and leadership in almost every country. According to the software founders, â€Å"†¦vision for Skype has always been to build the world’s largest communications business and revolutionize the ease with which people can communication through the Internet† (Furrer, 2010, p. 66). The program, therefore, is a good media platform which manages to fulfill the needs of registered users. Legal and ethical issues EBay, as the current owner of the Skype service, can face serious legal issues leading to the termination of service in future, despite the fact that the company’s officials reject to the possible closure of the software. Specific attention requires the licensing agreement between eBay and Joltid (Randomus, 2009). According to eBay officials were accused by Joltid for violating the agreement. The representatives of EBay Company put similar counterclaims against Joltid. In 2009, the Skype producers started developing popular video and audio services and they were eligible for launching the service in case the licensing agreement was not concluded (Randomus, 2009). Due to the fact that introducing a new software product is quite time consuming and costly, cooperation with Joltid could significantly forward the introduction. The conflict between two companies eventually prevented eBay developers from fostering their product, despite the fact of possessing over 480 million registered users.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Skype: A Huge Advancement in Communication Systems specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Therefore, the Skype producers are concerned with their position because they should introduce the product before the decline in consumer demand. Skype producers have no doubts concerning the legality and ethically of their actions, but still there is a possibility of facing negative consequences because of the failure to negotiate with Joltid officials. The point is that Skype initiated the development of alternative software licensed through Joltid. The software can fail as a result the loss of functionality and, therefore, there is a potential threat to lose consumers. Security Concerns The Skype, as a vast VOIP setting, is under the strict focus in terms of security. In particular, the possibility for all people to interact via Skype does not guarantee safety because many of conversations and calls can be carried out for different purposes. According to Svensson (2006), the Skype company is able to introduce 256 but encrypt keys, which are extremely difficult to crack. The encryptions are processed on credit cart numbers during transactions. Although there are certain aspects of the software to be considered in terms of security, Skype continues improving security of communication and information exchange. While talking about Skype as a world-known online social network, it is hard to consider the issues of privacy and security because the software is primarily oriented on the possibility of communicating and making calls from all over the world and, therefore, there are not actual restrictions imposed on performing such a function.Advertising Looking for essay on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The most problematic issue about Skype is the possibility of seeing still images without the consent of the recipient (Rogerson, 2008). Once captured, the recipient can experience unlikely endeavors of other users to disturb and manipulate information (Rogerson, 2008). The vulnerability of Skype users is under greater threat due to the risk of using information in unsafe and questionable ways. Despite the potential challenges, there is a still a chance to protect users from possible interruptions. The security is ensured by the possibility for users to either portray or hide their profiles for people they want to talk to. The Skype also allows users to add some personal information, including gender, date-of-birth, location, and some interesting facts (Rogerson, 2008). Details about social interests and hobbies, as well as sporting interests, are also possible to fill out in a user’s profile. However, the users may leave these spaces unfilled to protect themselves from privac y interventions. Social Problems Certainly, the variety of function offered by the Skype producers allows customers to put away their cell phones. As a result, the software can become a potential rival to the producers of telephone communications and technology (Furrer, 2010). However, the Skype also introduces relatively new services that had never been practiced before. In particular, the software is better known as the most effective one in computer-to-computer communications (Furrer, 2010). Unfortunately, some of the functions offered by Skype are not always beneficial in terms of interaction and confidentiality. This is of particular concern to the information represented in a user’s profile. Further Research It has been discovered that Skype has been sufficiently considered in regards to its cost-effectiveness and usability. It has a number of unique functions that other programs never had. However, little research has been done on social value of the VoIP, as well as h ow it influences various spheres of social and cultural life. This is of particular concern to educational field since it can significantly benefit from using online communication, especially video calls and conferences. Conclusion Skype is considered as the most popular social network and communication technology offering a variety of opportunities for online users. Possibility to make video calls and creating conferences is a unique function that users all over the world may take advantage of. Despite the legal and ethical concerns, the Skype still operates in many countries because other related social networks have similar concerns as well. References Furrer, O. (2010). Corporate Level Strategy: Theory and Applications. US: Taylor Francis. Mohr, J.J., Sengupta, S., Slater S.F. (2009). Marketing of High-Technology Products and Innovations. US: Jakki Mohr. Randomus. (2009). Skype Faces Legal Issues; Possible Closure, Myce. Web. Rogerson, S. (2008). VoIP Ethics. ETHIcol in the IM IS Journal. 18(2). Web. Skype (2012). Skype Explained. Web. Svensson, P. (2006). Skype Innovation and Security. Legal and Ethical Issues with the Internet. Web. This essay on Skype: A Huge Advancement in Communication Systems was written and submitted by user Brisa Middleton to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Cisneros-biography essays

Cisneros-biography essays Sandra Cisneros writing has been shaped by her experiences. Because of her unique background she is very different from traditional American writers. An important theme of her work is the heterogeneity of the Mexican-American community, expressed through differences of class, gender, education, and language use. From the start of her life Sandra Cisneros didnt have what you or I would consider a normal childhood. As a person growing up in a society where the class norm was superimposed on a television screen, I couldnt understand why our home wasnt all green lawns and white wood like in the ones in Leave it to Beaver and My Father Knows Best.(Ghosts). She had a tough time believing her fate was to be spent in poverty, so she looked for an escape. An escape that led her to a book called The Little House, which she would continually check out of the library as a kid. It was her favorite because it contained her dream house, one house for one family that was secure and lasting. Throughout Cisneros life she was never allowed much time to get settled into one place or one home. Her Mexican-American Mother, her Mexican father, and her six brothers were constantly moving between Mexico City and Chicago-where she was born. Unable to establish lasting friendships and having no sisters forced Sandra to bury her loneliness in books. In high school she began writing poetry and even took over as the editor for the literary magazine, but according to her she didnt start to really write until her first creative writing class in college of 1974. After that it took her a while to find her own voice. She said in her book Ghosts... I rejected what was at hand and emulated the voices of the poets I admired in books: big male voices like James Wright and Richard Hugo and Theodore Roethke, all wrong for me."(Ghosts). ...

Introduction to business, macro environmental factors (PESTLE) Essay

Introduction to business, macro environmental factors (PESTLE) - Essay Example This structure was a result of various acquisitions that have taken place over the period of time. Detailed analysis of the history of Borders Group and its subsequent liquidation indicated that failure to adapt to market changes and technological advancement coupled with faulty investments and financial decisions lead to the demise of this once glorious chain of bookstores. The founders of this group are also the pioneers when it comes to superstores in published books industry after Barnes & Noble (Peterson, 2011). The traditional image of small-scale alley shops was replaced by Tom and Louis Borders in 1971 when they opened major stores in different states. In addition to many published books available under one roof, their Book Inventory System which was originally designed to support their sales and inventory management, also formed a major part of the products that they were offering. Following Borders group’s stake in published books market, it was purchased by Kmart ho wever the deal was not as successful as expected and later on lead to divestment in 1995. After this separation, Borders group expanded its operations internationally in Europe, Australia and Singapore (Fundinguniverse, 2011). ... blishing self-owned stores however due to excessive market competition in physical book stores and also other market players like Amazon, Borders group faced aggressive competition. Due to this market condition, Borders group sustained immense losses and filed for bankruptcy in United States followed by subsequent closure of over 30 stores only in UK. As of now, all the directly or partly owned stores of Borders groups have been sold or closed down (Fundinguniverse, 2011). It is important to note that Borders group’s problem was not the changing market space and consumers’ demand but its rather sluggish approach towards the adaptation of changes. With major capital invested in physical stores, the cost of running the stores became extremely high. It did try to create an online presence in 2001 after emergence of Amazon.com and other e-book retailers however the results were not encouraging enough. Where Amazon was in the market after 1995 and had a stable establishment by 2000, it was already too late for Borders group to compete with the diverse and highly personalized nature of service offered by it (Wasserman, 2012). After being unable to have a successful presence, Borders group formed an alliance with Amazon which proved fatal in the long-run. The alliance ended in 2007 with another attempt of forming online presence in 2008 however increasing overhead, operations and interest expenses along with many changes taking place in organization’s management, the group was struggling to stay liquidated which further resulted in further bankruptcy of the group in 2011. Although over the period of time, Borders group added many features to its stores in the form of espresso bars and personalized service of its employees (who were already learned individuals with

Homeostasis and pain management in patients with multisystem failure Research Paper

Homeostasis and pain management in patients with multisystem failure - Research Paper Example Therefore, as the number of old people suffering from chronic diseases increases; the cases related to chronic pains in hospitals also increase. In addition, several old patients in hospitals experience multi system failures. There are several measures being put in place by health organizations to manage the pain experienced by the old generation as a result of multi system failures. Pain management is the practice by medical practitioners, nurse practitioners, physiotherapists and clinical nurse practitioners to reduce the pain or totally get rid of the pain that patients go through. Pain management is always done through the administration of medicine to the sick or injured patient (Hardy & Paul, 1997). This will help in reduction of pain in the patient. Homeostasis management is the practice of maintaining a stable and constant internal environment of a patient. This may involve maintaining constant body temperatures. Geriatric patients are often old people and they also undergo p ain. This paper discusses expansively the pain management that can be administered to Mrs. Elli Baker, a 73-year-old geriatric patient who was transferred to an emergency room after collapsing. Assessment of Patient. The assessment of Mrs. Baker should include all the problems that she experienced. The assessment talks about her homeostasis, oxygenation and her level of pain. The assessment also includes the physical observations made on her, observations made through technology and in the laboratory. Mrs. Baker was on two medications: lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide. These two medications often result to the collapsing of geriatric patients. It is these two medications that led to her collapse. Mrs. Baker had problems with her oxygenation. This can be as a result of diabetes that she had experienced previously. Her oxygenation problem can be solved by introducing arterial gases into her body. Her body temperature is also an issue of concern. Mrs. Baker collapsed in her backyard may be because she was up to some difficult tasks such as physical exercises that could have led to an increase in her temperature. Mrs. Baker was also dehydrated. She had past history of diabetes and this always involves having too much sugar in the body. This can later lead to dehydration in an individual. This could be solved by administering water into the circulation system of Mrs. Baker. Mrs. Baker experienced high level of pain. This was evident because, when talking to the nurse, she had problems responding and this may have been caused by the pain she was feeling. When observed, it was evident that Mrs. Baker was undergoing pain. This was because she tended to be uncomfortable in bed, she was grunting and she showed grimace on her face. This was a clear indication of the pain that she was in. She experienced hypertension and had respiratory problems. The cause of these could be seen by introducing her to an X-ray to observe any blockages in the arteries and veins and in the respiratory system. Technological Tools. In treating Mrs. Baker’s condition, various technological tools would be used. One of the tools that would be used in treating her is a stethoscope. A stethoscope is essential and would be utilized to know the rate or speed of her heartbeats. Mrs. Baker had respiratory problems and she collapsed at her backyard. Knowing the speed of her heartbeats will be essential since this will help in knowing the kind of activity she was doing before she collapsed. In case she was doing physical exercise, the stethoscope would read her fast heartbeats and this would help the medical practitioners in solving her problem. The other technological tool that would

Management Accounting & Finance of Nokia and Carphone Warehouse Essay

Management Accounting & Finance of Nokia and Carphone Warehouse - Essay Example In the case of Nokia the expenses incurred in operating the machinery, depreciation of equipment and other assets such as building associated with the production of the company’s products and other overhead costs such as light water and telephone are classified as factory overheads and are therefore included in production costs as part of the companies manufacturing costs. Nokia can determine how much it actually costs to produce a certain level of activity, the types of expenditure involved and their cost in relation to the volume of production. In the case of Carphone Warehouse, the company provides a service which includes selling cell phones and other electronic items and repairing cell phones. The company does not manufacture anything and so the cost of the phones that it sells is the only cost of sales in the company’s income statement. The cost of repairing phones along with the costs of the service it provides are all included as operational expenses. Regular re view of and updating of budgets is essential to the success of these companies. The company should focus on budgets and the competition and seek to add value to its products. Nokia is in an industry where technology is changing rapidly and so it needs to be always focused on external information so that it can make internal changes in the way it does things. This, however, requires the implementation of strategies such as the Balanced Scorecard, which will allow the organization to create value for its many stakeholders including customers.

Baroque Period And Opera

Baroque Period And Opera Early baroque composers favoured homophonic texture over the polyphonic texture typical of Renaissance music. They felt that words could be projected more clearly by using just one main melody with a chordal accompaniment. Homophonic textures only characterise early baroque, by the late baroque period, polyphonic texture returned to favour. To depict extreme emotions, early baroque composers used dissonance with a new freedom. Never before were unstable chords so prominent and emphatic. Contrasts of sound were stressed, one or more solo singers against a chorus, or voices against instruments. A baroque piece usually expresses one basic mood: what begins joyfully will remain joyful throughout. Emotional states like joy, grief, and agitation were represented-at the time, these moods were called affections. Specific rhythms or melodic patters were associated with specific moods. The prime exception to this baroque principle of unity of mood occurs in vocal music. Drastic changes of emotion in a text may inspire corresponding changes in the music. Rhythmic patterns head at the beginning of a piece are repeated throughout it. This rhythmic continuity provides a compelling drive and energy the forward motion is rarely interrupted. Baroque melody also creates a feeling of continuity. An opening melody will be heard again and again in the course of a baroque piece. And even when a melody is presented in varied form, its character tends to remain constant. There is a continuous expanding, unfolding, and unwinding of melody. This sense of directed motion is frequently the result of a melodic sequence, that is, successive repetition of a musical idea at higher or lower pitch levels. Many baroque melodies sound elaborate and ornamental, and they are not easy to sing or remember. A short opening phrase is often followed by a longer phrase with an unbroken flow of rapid notes. Volume tends to stay constant for a stretch of time. When the dynamics do shift, the shift is usually sudden, like physically stepping from one level to another. This alternation between loud and soft is called terraced dynamics. The organ and harpsichord were both well suited for continuity of dynamic level. Imitation between various lines, or voices, of the texture is very common. A melodic idea heard in one voice is likely to make an appearance in the other voices as well. In the baroque period chords became significant. As composers wrote a melodic line, they thought of chords to mesh with it. Indeed, sometimes they composed a melody to fit a specific chord progression. This interest in chords gave new prominence to the bass part. Basso continuo or figured bass is made up of a bass part together with numbers which specify the chords to be played above it. Usually the bass part is played by the left hand of an organist or harpsichordist and a cellist or bassoonist. The right hand, the keyboard player improvises chords or even a melodic line, following the indications of the numbers. Word painting was used. Heaven might be set to a high tone and hell to a low tone. Rising scales represented upward motion; descending scales depicted the reverse. Descending chromatic scales were associated with pain and grief. Composers emphasised words by writing many rapid notes for a single syllable of text. Opera is the fusion of music, acting, poetry, dance, scenery and costumes. Began in Italy around 1600. Voice types: Coloratura soprano very high range; can execute rapid scales and trills lyric soprano rather light voice; sings roles calling for grace and charm dramatic soprano full, powerful voice; is capable of passionate intensity lyric tenor relatively light, bright voice dramatic tenor powerful voice; is capable of heroic expression basso buffo takes comic roles; can sing very rapidly basso profondo very low range, powerful voice; takes roles calling for great dignity Aria A song for solo voice with orchestral accompaniment. Its an outpouring of melody that expresses an emotional state. In an aria, I love you, might be sung ten times to accommodate the expansion of the idea. Often the action stops while the characters feelings are revealed through music. An aria usually lasts several minutes. It is a complete piece with a definite beginning, high point, and end. Recitative A vocal line that imitates the rhythms and pitch fluctuations of speech. In a recitative, words are sung quickly and clearly, often on repeated tones. There is usually only one note to each syllable in a recitative. Recitative is used for monologues and dialogues that connect the more melodic sections of the opera. In opera multiple characters can express contrasting feelings at the same time when different melodies are combined. This is only possible in opera and cannot be duplicated in spoken drama. An opera chorus generates atmosphere and makes comments on the action. Their sound creates a kind of tonal background for the soloists. Most operas open with a purely orchestral composition called an overture or a prelude. Since the eighteenth century, the music for an overture has been drawn from material heard later in the opera. The overture is thus a short musical statement that involves the audience in the overall dramatic mood. Orchestral introductions to acts in the opera other than the first are always called preludes. Opera was born in Italy. During the late baroque, operas consisted largely of arias linked by recitatives. These recitatives were usually accompanied only by a basso continuo, in which case they are called secco recitatives. At emotional high points and moments of tension, however, they might be supported by the orchestra, they are then called accompanied recitatives. Late baroque arias followed the structure of ABA called da capa aria. Monteverdis Orfeo is considered to be the first great opera. Orfeo is about Orpheus, the gifted musician of Greek mythology. Orpheus, son of the god Apollo, is ecstatically happy after his marriage to Eurydice. But his joy is shattered when his bride is killed by a poisonous snake. Orpheus goes down to hades hoping to bring her back to life. Because of his musical talent, he is granted this privilege, as long as he does not look back at Eurydice while leading her out of hades. Orpheus looks back in a moment of anxiety and Eurydice vanishes. Apollo pities Orpheus and brings him up to heaven, where he can gaze eternally at Eurydices radiance. Orfeo includes recitatives, arias, duets, choruses, and instrumental interludes. Tu se morta in Act II of Orfeo is an example of a secco recitative. Orpheus sings solo in a recitative style with accompaniment by a basso continuo played by an organ and bass lute. The texture of this piece is homophonic, as was popular in early Baroque music. There is no time signature which gives the performer the freedom to portray emotion in their singing. Word painting is also found in this piece. Words such as stelle (stars) and solo (sun) are sung high in the performers register while abissi (abysses) and morte (death) are sung low. Roman opera was based more on religious subjects than on Greek mythology, and it made more use of the choruses. Distinction between recitative and aria began to emerge. The prototype of comic opera were intermezzi, comic interludes between the acts. The principal characteristics of Venetian opera were: more emphasis on formal arias, the beginning of bel canto style and more attention to vocal elegance than to dramatic expression, less use of chorus and orchestral music, complex and improbable plots, elaborate stage machinery, and short fanfare-like instrumental introductions. As compared to Italian opera, the outstanding traits of French opera were: use of ballet, greater importance of the drama, more use of the orchestra and instrumental music, shorter and simpler dance-like airs, careful attention to accentuation of the text, more expressive and melodic recitative, less emphasis on virtuosity, the French overture. In Baroque music, ritornello was the word for a recurring passage for orchestra in the first or final movement of a solo concerto or aria (also in works for chorus). In ritornello form, the tutti opens with a theme called the ritornello (refrain). This theme, always played by the tutti, returns in different keys throughout the movement. However, it usually returns in incomplete fragments In the Prologue of Orfeo there is a recitation by La Musica, there are five verses, each introduced by a ritornello. The same ritornello appears at the end of Act II and at the beginning of Act V. La serva padrona was originally an intermezzo to Pergolesis opera seria Il prigioniero superbo (The Proud Prisoner). The two were premiered on 5 September 1733, the first performance after an earthquake in Naples had caused all theatres to be closed, and celebrated the birthday of the Empress of Habsburg. Il prigioniero was unsuccessful in its day[1] and is not a recognized title in todayà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s operatic repertoire. Eventually the two pieces were separated, and La serva padrona went on to enjoy fame throughout Europe for years after its premiere. The importance of this intermezzo can hardly be overlooked in the history of opera. With a new finale, the French version played a large part in the Querelle des Bouffons. It was appealing because of its presentation of characters that were relatable to any audience, namely the cunning maid and her aging master. La serva padrona is often seen as the quintessential piece that bridges the gap from the Baroque to the Classical period. Owing to its importance, over time it came to be known as more than just an intermezzo and was performed as a stand-alone work. Intermezzo I Dressing room. Uberto, an elderly bachelor, is angry and impatient with his maidservant, Serpina, because she has not brought him his chocolate today. Serpina has become so arrogant that she thinks she is the mistress of the household. Indeed, when Uberto calls for his hat, wig and coat, Serpina forbids him from leaving the house, adding that from then on he will have to obey her orders. Uberto thereupon orders Vespone to find him a woman to marry so that he can rid himself of Serpina. Intermezzo II Same dressing room. Serpina convinces Vespone to trick Uberto into marrying her. She informs Uberto that she is to marry a military man named Tempesta. She will be leaving his home and apologizes for her behavior. Vespone, disguised as Tempesta, arrives and, without saying a word, demands 4,000 crowns for a dowry. Uberto refuses to pay such a sum. Tempesta threatens him to either pay the dowry or marry the girl himself. Uberto agrees to marry Serpina. Serpina and Vespone reveal their trick; but Uberto realizes that he has loved the girl all along. They will marry after all; and Serpina will now be the true mistress of the household. The piece is for bass, soprano, and a mute actor. Opera is the fusion of music, acting, poetry, dance, scenery and costumes. At the end of the sixteenth century a small group of aristocratic intelligentsia, known as the Camerata, met frequently in Florence. The Camerata had the intention of reproducing the combination of words and music which made up Greek theatre. The text was the main focus of this music with all the words being sung naturally, in the same manner as normal speech, and the music must interpret the spirit of the text. This resulted in a new style of music which was mostly homophonic, in contrast to polyphonic music that was popular at the time. The first surviving opera, Peris Euridice in 1600, was a flop, Monteverdis Orfeo seven years later, however, was not. Orfeo managed to fulfil the requirements posed by the Camerata and while also being dramatic and portraying extreme emotion. Over the baroque period opera evolved and developed into different types and varied in different areas. Orfeo was characteristic of a Florentine opera and an opera seria. All forms of opera shared similar musical components such as: solo song, in opera called aria; pieces for two or more solo voices, duet, trio etc; recitative, a singing style that replicated the rhythms and pitch fluctuation of speech; chorus; the orchestra; and the overture, the instrumental introduction to an opera. The various cities of Italy each had variants on the opera. Florentine opera, such as Orfeo, was based off Greek mythology. While Roman opera was based on religious subjects and made more use of choruses. Venetian opera had an emphasis on formal arias, less use of chorus and orchestral music, complex and improbably plots and short fanfare-like introductions. Choruses were nearly non-existent in Neopolitan opera and there was a new style of operatic song, arioso, which was a mix between recitative and aria. Castrati were popular and drew great interest from audiences. Opera spread to France and included the use of ballet, more extreme drama, more use of the orchestra and instrumental music, more expressive and melodic recitative and less emphasis on virtuosity. Towards the end of the Baroque period a new style of opera appeared known as opera buffa. These comic operas originated as intermezzi between the acts of opera serias. Opera buffa differed from opera seria due to its light and humorous subjects, commonplace characters rather than heroic figures, popular tunes replaced the dramatic and formal aria; and characters, subjects and melodies of opera serias were parodied. Pergolesis opera buffa La serva padrona was an intermezzo to Pergolesis opera seria Il prigioniero superbo. Monteverdis Orfeo and Pergolesis La serva padrona show the development and similarities between early baroque and late baroque opera. Whilst the pieces are of differing style and were written over 100 years apart many characteristics of baroque music and opera appear in both. The plots of Orfeo and La serva padrona differ greatly as one is a opera seria and the other an opera buffa. Orfeo tells the tale of Orpheus, the gifted musician of Greek mythology. Orpheus, son of the god Apollo, has just married Eurydice but his joy is soon crushed after she is killed by a poisonous snake. Orpheus goes down to hades hoping to bring her back to life and further drama and tragedy ensues. La serva padrona features the old bachelor Uberto and his maidservant Serpina. Uberto and Serpina are contantly fighting but Serpina manages to trick Uberto into marrying her and becomes the homes mistress. Verspone, a servant of Ubertos, is a mute character but is important to the plot. The opera is light hearted and made up of common people. Over the baroque period the plots of operas changed dramatically in style as can be seen in Orfeo and La serva padrona. All operas were mostly homophonic, this way words could be projected more clearly with only one main melodic line. Both Orfeo and La serva padrona are mostly homophonic. In fact, whilst polyphony came back into fashion as the baroque period progressed, La serva padrona is less adventurous in terms of harmony in comparison to Orfeo. Orfeo makes use of polyphony in choruses, duets and trios. This can be seen in Act I: lo non diro qual sia nel tuo gioir with Euridice, Chorus, Nymph and the Sheperds singing two different melodies in a round-style which eventually join together in a homophonic ending. Excerpt from Orfeo Act I: lo non diro qual sia nel tuo gioir La serva padrona is rather simple, only written for a string quartet and a soprano and bass. The second violins generally double the first violins and the viola generally doubles the bass part one octave higher. The instrumentation of Orfeo is more expansive than that of La serva padrona. Orfeo utilises: 2 clavicembalos, 1 double harp, 2 chitarrones, 2 bass cithers, 3 bass gambas, 2 organs with wood pipes, 1 organ with reed pipes, 2 small violins, 4 violins, 4 violas, 2 violoncellos, 2 contrabass viols, 4 trombones, 2 cornetts, 1 fautino, 1 high trumpet, 3 soft trumpets. Orfeo makes use of this range of instruments through its varying pieces. Orfeo has arias, recitatives, choruses, dances, sinfonias and duets. La serva padrona on the other hand is made up of only arias and recitatives and a duet to end each act. The range of instruments in Orfeo also results in contrast of dynamics between pieces. The use of more and less instruments changes the volume from loud to soft, suddenly, rather than gradually. This is known as terraced dynamics and is characteristic of the baroque period. La serva padrona remains a similar dynamic for most of the opera. Dynamics are altered through the doubling of string parts and the removal of string parts. Two different types of recitative were used in baroque opera. The first being secco recitatives, which were usually accompanied by only a basso continuo. The second being accompanied recitatives which were accompanied by the orchestra. Tu se morta in Act II of Orfeo is an example of a secco recitative. Per altro io penserei in Act II of La serva padrona is an example of an accompanied recitative. This style of recitative is used for an emotional high point in the opera. Arias are also found in both pieces. La serva padrona being a piece of the late baroque period, the arias follow the structure of ABA known as de capa aria. Excerpt from La serva padrona Act II: Per altro io penserei The ascending violin patterns in the excerpt above are an example of the musics use in supporting the text. The fast, ascending, scalic pattern is representative of the excitement and confusion in this piece of the opera. This is a technique known as word painting. Words may be set to higher and lower tones according to the emotion or type of word. This is seen in Te se morta in Act II of Orfeo in which the words stelle (stars) and solo (sun) are sung high in the performers register while abissi (abysses) and morte (death) are sung low. Word painting was used throughout the whole baroque period in opera. Excerpt from Orfeo Act II: Te se morta Beyond the standard soprano, alto, tenor, bass, there were different types of opera voices. These included: coloratura soprano, lyrics soprano, soprano castrato, dramatic soprano, lyric tenor, dramatic tenor, basso buffo, basso profondo. Orfeo makes use of a variety of voice types. Orfeo is performed by a dramatic tenor, due to their powerful voices, while Eurydice and La Musica were performed by soprano castrato. In La serva padrona Uberto is performed by a basso buffo as they could sing very fast and were perfect for comic roles. Serpina is performed by a coloratura soprano which is evident due to her rapid scales and trills and high range. The contrast in voice types in the two operas is due to their different style with one being an opera seria and the other an opera buffa. Reoccurring passages for the orchestra in baroque music are called ritornellos. Ritornellos are found throughout Orfeo. The ritornello is introduced in Act I and it appears at the end of Act II and at the beginning of Act V. Excerpt from Orfeo Act I: Prologo Ritornellos do not appear in La serva padrona as there is only a string quartet and voices. Imitation however does appear. The imitation of various voices of texture was common of the baroque period. Melodic ideas that are shown in one voice appear in other voices as well. Excerpt from La serva padrona Act I: Sempre in contrasti Due to the increased use of homophony in the baroque period chords became much more significant than they were in the past. Basso continuo or figured bass is a bass part that is used together with numbers which specify the chords to be played above it. Usually the bass part is played by the left hand of an organist or harpsichordist and a cellist or bassoonist. In Orfeo the basso continuo is played by many instruments but mainly by organs. In La serva padrona the basso continuo is played by the cello or double bass and is doubled by the viola an octave higher. Basso continuo is a primary characteristic of the baroque period and lasted over all 150 years. Monteverdis Orfeo and Pergolesis La serva padrona both share many characteristics that are common of the baroque period. They also have a few significant differences that are due to the differing style of opera. French and German operas would offer further contrasts to these two Italian operas. On first glance it appears that Orfeo is more evolved and later opera than La serva padroma, this, however, is not true. While Orfeo does offer more instruments and a greater contrast of pieces La serva padroma takes a small part of the first operas and expands on them so that it stands as a genre of opera on its own. The evolution of opera through the baroque period wasnt through the invention of new techniques or massive stylistic changes but rather through refinement of the original techniques and slight tweaks to the musical and lyrics content.

Robert Frost Essay -- essays research papers fc

Robert Frost   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Robert Lee Frost, was one of America’s leading 20th Century poets, and a four time winner of the Pulitzer Prize. Frost did not receive these recognitions until his later years when his poetic brilliance was finally recognized. â€Å"Frost was a pioneer in the interplay of rhythm and meter†( Waggoner 1). Frost’s brilliance was contributed by many things; including his life, career, and literary works.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Robert Frost was born on March 26, 1874 in San Francisco, California. Frost is the son of William Prescott Frost and Isabelle Moodie Frost. In 1885, Frost’s father died, so his mother, Isabelle, moved the family to Lawrence, Mass., where she was originally from. There Frost would spent the rest of his childhood years. Frost attended Darthmouth College in Lawrence for less than a year after completing high school. Frost quit Dartmouth to work in a textile mill in Lawrence and to marry a high school classmate, Elinor White. Frost later went on a two-year venture at Harvard, after this academic experience disappointed him shortly after, he returned to Lawrence to obtain a variety of jobs. Frost finally became a chicken farmer in Derry, New Hampshire on property his grandfather had bought for him. Frost began at the Pinkerton Academy in Derry to obtain a dependable cash income (Waggoner 1). Frost wrote poems late at night, and put his farm tasks aside when they became bothersome.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In 191...