A Cappella

A cappella is a style of choral music that originated in the late 15th century,^[1] characterized by a choir singing sans instrumental accompaniment, though certain scholars of music debate the extent to which accompaniment is acceptable.^[2]

History[edit]

A cappella became a preeminent style in the late 16th century, as it was the preferred style of the choir of the Sistine Chapel. It is possible that the allegedly impure a cappella appeared during this time, as it was a tendency of churches to accompany their singers using church organs. By the 17th century, the a cappella genre was giving way to the cantata.

A cappella became popular again in the 1990s with groups such as Boyz II Men and Rockapella,^[3] though the style of Boyz II Men is a topic of debate.^[4]

References[edit]