Mozart's Operas Flashcards
what is the most common structure/form of Mozart operas?
Sonata form (exposition, development, recapitulation)
What type of phrasing is typically used in Mozart operas?
Balanced (symmetry)
Which keyboard instrument is typically used in Mozart Operas?
the fortepiano- the strings are hammered rather than plucked, allowing dynamics to be more prevalent
What are the different sections of an opera?
Overture, duets, arias, recitatives
What is an overture?
The introduction (often solely instrumental)
What is an aria?
A solo vocal section, accompanied by an orchestra
What is a duet?
Two vocalists exchanging musical dialogue
What is a recitative?
A spoken-word, half-sung section of narration, to explain the plot developments to the audience
melodic features of opera:
Partly diatonic, with some chromaticism incorporated
Which cadences are typically used in Mozart operas?
Perfect and imperfect
Which 2 chords are mainly used in mozart operas?
Tonic and dominant
Which technique is used in Mozart operas where the music relates to the action?
Word-painting
Example of word-painting in Mozart opera ‘Marriage of Figaro’?
As Figaro is measuring the floor space, intervallic augmentation is used to mirror his counting up
Why are pedals used in Mozart operas?
To create tension/anticipation
Why are melodies with a wide pitch range used sometimes?
To have a more dramatic effect
