Taruskin and Gibbs say that Bach’s Passions are almost like Biblical operas. What operatic elements/tendencies do you see on the level of (a) individual numbers and (b) how the piece unfolds from number to number?

earliest

neumes above text

neumes

colored lines

neumes

4-line staff

f, c, or g clef

notes on 5-line staff with clef

mensuration (longas and breves)

time signature (perfect or half circle)

most recent

notes on 5-line staff

modern clefs

modern note values (whole, half, quarter, and so on)

modern time signature

italian words and abbreviations for dynamics and tempo

staccato, slurs, and so on

the answer is counterpoint.

counterpoint definition: "the art or technique of playing a melody or melodies in conjunction with another, according to fixed rules."

counterpoint is present in a lot of baroque music- such as bach (notably his wtc prelude and fugues) and scarlatti, but can also be found in music by mozart, beethoven. it can even be found in music as modern as john williams!