MT Terminology

Question 1

Opéra-bouffe

Opera Buffa

Answer 1

A (French) comic opera, with dialogue delivered recitative. Characters are drawn from everyday life.

Question 2

Oratorio

Answer 2

Lengthy musical piece that is based on some biblical or religious event. Story is told through music; not scenery, costume and/or action.

Question 3

Librettist

Answer 3

A person who writes the text of an opera or other long vocal work. Today is lyricist.

Question 4

Arioso

Answer 4

Airy. In comparison with recitative, Arioso is mores sung than spoken whereas the latter is mores spoken than sung.

Question 5

Ballad Opera

Answer 5

(English) Taking the form of a satirical play interspersed with traditional or operatic songs.

Question 6

Singspiel

Answer 6

(German) A form of German light opera

Question 7

Imitative Polyphony

Answer 7

Similar to a round and/or canon

Question 8

Non-imitative Polyphony

Answer 8

Slightly different melodic like, performed simultaneously

Question 9

Strophic Form

Answer 9

A simple repetitive pattern or form that can be diagrammed as A-A-A

Question 10

Aria

Answer 10

An aria is a long song accompanying a solo voice. An aria is usually in an opera or oratorio.

Question 11

Genre

Answer 11

A style or category of art, music, or literature.

Question 12

Libretto

Answer 12

Text of an opera, product of a Librettist.

Question 13

Commedia Dell’arte

Answer 13

Form of professional theatre, originating from (Italy). Stock characters and situations, use of masks.

Question 14

Comédie-Ballet

Answer 14

(French) drama which mixes a spoken play with interludes containing music and dance

Question 15

Opera-Comique

Answer 15

Genre of (French) opera that contains spoken dialogue and arias.

Question 16

Vaudeville

Answer 16

Stage entertainment consisting of various acts (such as performing animals, comedians, or singers)

Question 17

Drama Giocoso

Answer 17

“Drama with jokes”

Question 18

Primo Uomo

Answer 18

Leading Man

Question 19

Prima Donna

Answer 19

Leading Woman

Question 20

Castrati

Answer 20

Type of classical male singing voice equivalent to that of a soprano, mezzo-soprano, or contralto. Boys are castrated before puberty to achieve this.

Question 21

Recitative

Answer 21

Imitates the rhythm (and speed) of speech in a dry, business-like way without memorable melodies.

Question 22

Virtuoso

Answer 22

A person highly skilled in music or another artistic pursuit.

Question 23

Sainetes

Answer 23

Popular (Spanish) comic opera, typically 1-act

Question 24

Tonadillas

Answer 24

A (Spanish) musical song form. Not danced.

Question 25

Opera-Seria

Answer 25

(Italian) serious opera

Question 26

Intermezzo

Answer 26

Comic operatic interlude

Question 27

Verismo

Answer 27

(Italian) for realism

Question 28

Lemotifs

Answer 28

‘leading motive’ a melodic fragment inked to a particular character, object or idea. Normally played by intruments.

Question 29

Viennese Operetta

Answer 29

Emphasis on dance, comedic and child-like conventions.

Question 30

Burlesque

Answer 30

Travesty. Comically exaggerated imitation of something.

Question 31

Savoy Operas/Savoyards

Answer 31

D’oyly Carte Theatre.

Question 32

What is the difference between Vaudeville, Variety and Music Hall.

Answer 32

Not much, these terms are interchangeable terms. They are all family-oriented.

Question 33

Pantomime

Answer 33

(English Invention) Based around fairytales, holiday entertainment.

Question 34

What is a diegetic song?

Answer 34

Songs that are part of the scene

Question 35

What is a non-diegetic song?

Answer 35

The underscore and/or background music.