LESSON 2

• Opera - It is an Italian word that means “work”.
• Opera - is a play or drama set to music.
• The Romantic period was also known as the “golden age of operas."
• Italian Opera - The song is the focus (vocal part)
• German Opera - shifts focus from the voice to the orchestra.
• Italian composers have developed a form of singing called bel canto, which literally means “beautiful singing” in Italy.
• Overture – this is an instrumental introduction to an opera.
• Recitative – this is the text declaimed in the rhythm of natural speech with a slight melodic variation and little orchestral accompaniment.
• Aria – this is a solo song with an instrumental accompaniment.
• Libretto – this is the text or story of the opera.
• Librettist – this person is the writer of the libretto.
• Bel canto – this is an Italian phrase that means beautiful singing.
• Leitmotif – this is the leading motive or basic recurring theme.
• Opera seria – this is a serious opera
• Opera buffa – this is a comic opera.
• Opera - is the product of the inspiration of the composers, which continually inspires people by having them experience a combination of vocal and orchestral music, drama, visual arts, and dance.