The Language of Opera Program - Booklet that contains information Act - Main sections of a play or opera. about the opera, composer, performers, and Aria - A solo song sung in an opera. the opera company. Audience - People who watch a performance Recitative - Words that are sung in the rhythm and sit in the “house” or auditorium. of natural speech. Ballet - Dance set to music within an opera. Rehearsal - Time when singers/actors practice with or without the orchestra; time when Blocking - Action on stage. musicians practice together with the conductor. Character - Person who is part of the opera’s Scene - Segments of action within the acts of an story. opera. Chorus - Music composed for a group of singers Types of Singers or the name of a group of singers in an opera. Soprano - Highest pitched female voice. Conductor - Person who rehearses and leads the orchestra. Mezzo-Soprano - Female voice between soprano and contralto. Duet - A song performed by two singers. Contralto – Lowest pitched female voice Libretto - the words of the opera. Tenor - Highest pitched male voice. Opera - a musical work in one or more acts, made for singers and instrumentalists. Baritone - Male voice between tenor and bass. Opera Buffa - Funny, light opera. Bass - Lowest pitched male voice. Opera Seria - Serious, dramatic opera. Orchestra - A group of musicians who play together on various musical instruments. Overture - A piece of instrumental music played at the beginning of an opera. ACTIVE LEARNING ACTIVITY # 3
The Language of Opera Act - Main sections of a play or opera. Aria - A solo song sung in an opera. Audience - People who watch a performance and sit in the “house” or auditorium. Ballet - Dance set to music within an opera. Blocking - Action on stage. Character - Person who is part of the opera’s story. Chorus - Music composed for a group of singers or the name of a group of singers in an opera. Conductor - Person who rehearses and leads the orchestra. Duet - A song performed by two singers. Libretto - the words of the opera. Opera - a musical work in one or more acts, made for singers and instrumentalists. Opera Buffa - Funny, light opera. Opera Seria - Serious, dramatic opera. Orchestra - A group of musicians who play together on various musical instruments. Overture - A piece of instrumental music played at the beginning of an opera. Program - Booklet that contains information about the opera, composer, performers, and the opera company. Recitative - Words that are sung in the rhythm of natural speech. Rehearsal - Time when singers/actors practice with or without the orchestra; time when musicians practice together with the conductor. Scene - Segments of action within the acts of an opera. Types of Singers Soprano - Highest pitched female voice. Mezzo-Soprano - Female voice between soprano and contralto. Contralto – Lowest pitched female voice Tenor - Highest pitched male voice. Baritone - Male voice between tenor and bass. Bass - Lowest pitched male voice. ACTIVE LEARNING ACTIVITY # 3