Opera

Opera

Industry: Drama

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Opera

Composer

Drama; Opera

A person who writes the music and sets the text to music including the orchestrations, the vocal parts, and the chorus parts.

Coda

Drama; Opera

“tail”; The last musical section of a composition where a final musical idea is presented by the composer.

Coloratura

Drama; Opera

A type of soprano, usually, but also a term that describes a voice capable of agility: fast and high singing, trills and embellishments. Coloratura sopranos of note: Lily Pons, Joan Sutherland, ...

Concerto

Drama; Opera

Ialian word for striving together; usually composed for one or more soloists and orchestra.

Cavatina

Drama; Opera

Popular in 18th c. Italian opera, this is a short, simple solo song, often instrumental.

Canzonetta

Drama; Opera

A shorter, more conversational aria than the ‘canzone.’ Sull’aria, a duet sung by the Countess and Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro, is called a ‘canzonetta.’

Leitmotiv

Drama; Opera

A musical theme used throughout an opera to represent a character or plot situation. Also called a ‘signature tune’. It is identified with Wagner’s operas in which the device was developed.