Opera Flashcards
Bel Canto
beautiful singing. long phrases, breath control and flexibility in singing both loudly and softly. words are often secondary
grand opera
Spectacular opera. Performed with elaborate sets and costumes. Many people needed. Involves royalty, heroism, elaborate ballet scene, long.
opera buffa
Comic opera. always sung in Italian. working class, maids, peasants, or servants, who keep busy getting the best of their employers.
opera seria
Serious Opera. Often tragic stories, involves heroes and kings or ancient myths and gods.
Singspiel
Evolved in German speaking countries out of the comic opera tradition. Includes elements of comic opera, spoken dialogue interjected among the sung phrases, and, often, an exotic or fanciful theme.
music drama
Created by a single artist who writes both the text and the music to advance the drama. This style fuses many art forms, and makes each one as important as the others.
overture
musical introduction played by the orchestra that often consists of excerpts from the opera.
act
a group of scenes with a common theme, such as a specific time or place. most opera consist of 1-5 acts
recitative
speech like singing that advances the plot. these songs are where the action takes place
chorus
a musical piece sung by a group of people. the chorus may be sung on strafe off stage
duet
a musical piece sung by 2 people
trio
a musical piece sung by 3 people
aria
a song sung by one person. arias allow singers to show off while reflecting on their emotions
intermission
a break between acts. this allows audiences to stretch and the performers to rest
libretto
the text or script of an opera
melodrama
a dramatic presentation that exaggerates emotion and action.
cultivate
to cultivate a professional singing voice for opera, you will need many years of training.
convincingly
opera singers must be convincingly like their characters to make a mark in the competitive opera world
grandeur
opera posses a visual grandeur
accessible
opera has become more accessible over the years due to English translations
intimidating
the high drama, foreign lyrics, and characters can seem intimidating
majestic
stories told in opera can be majestic because of the singers, cast, costumes, and scenery.
sustain
stronger plots and continuous music sustained the audience with their mood and suspense
evolution
the evolution of opera has ben influence by composers, such as Richard wagner, and guissepe Verdi. the subject and material have changed as well.
