Opera Flashcards
What is an Opera Seria?
Serious opera - story lines based on Gods, life or death, fate and heros - sad ending
What is an Opera Buffa?
Comic opera that usually features: complicated love story, feature everyday people, happy endings, innuendos
What is an oratorio?
Sacred work performed in a concert setting
What is word painting?
When music is used to replicate what the word is ‘doing‘ (esp. use of melismas) - mainly Baroque
Basso continuo (ground bass)
Repeating pattern in bass used in Baroque era made up of at least two instruments: harpsichord / organ + bass (usually cello)
What is the structure of an opera?
- overture
- recitative
- aria
What is an overture?
Introductory music before start of opera
What is the recitative?
Fast delivery of text through singing, lyrics do not repeat, tells audience what they will be singing about in the aria
What is the aria?
‘Main song‘ for solo singer, solo singer with orchestral accompaniment, lyrics repeated
What is an ensemble in an opera?
The chorus (duet/trio/quartet/sextet) - extras eg. villagers
What is an opera?
A large dramatic work with numerous acts, written for singers + orchestra
What are the order of the voice categories (high to low)
- soprano
- mezzo soprano
- alto (contralto)
- counter tenor
- tenor
- baritone
- bass
How can you tell the difference between alto and counter tenor?
Use of vibrato with alto (female) - (sounds ‘darker‘), no vibrato with counter tenor (male)
When deciding on the voice category, what should you consider?
The highest/ lowest note sung
In what period are regular cadences (e.g. every 4 bars) used?
Classical + Romantic (not Baroque)
