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Voices of Opera
What parts make up an Opera?
Italian Opera Terms
Mixed
Roles in an Opera
100
the middle singing range of the male voice.
What is a Baritone?
100
the English translations of the opera's language that are projected above the stage during a performance to help the audience follow the story.
What is subtitles
100
A serious opera. The usual characters are gods and goddesses, or ancient heroes.
What is Opera seria?
100
Vocal techniques between singing and speaking.
What is Sprechgesang
100
The person who designs the steps of a dance.
What is a Choreographer?
200
the lowest female voice range.
What is a Contralto?
200
A section of the opera that is then divided into scenes.
What is Act?
200
Literally means "goddess" in Italian. An important female opera star. The masculine form is divo.
What is Diva?
200
a passage in vocal music (such as an opera) in which the words are sung in a way that resembles speech.
What is recitative?
200
the person responsible for the musical interpretation and coordination of the performance. You will see this person standing in the orchestra pit conducting the musicians and the singers.
What is a conductor?
300
The middle singing range for a female voice.
What is a Mezzo-soprano?
300
A short piece of instrumental music played between scenes and acts.
What is an interlude?
300
a form of appreciation shouted by audience members at the end of a particularly pleasing performance.
What is Bravo?
300
Italian phrase literally meaning "beautiful singing". A traditional Italian style of singing emphasizing tone, phrasing, coloratura passages, and techniques. Also refers to the operas written in this style.
What is Bel Canto?
300
the person in charge of the action on stage. He or she shows the singers, chorus, and cast where and when to move and helps them create their characters. This person develops a concept for how the entire performance should look and feel.
What is a Stage Director?
400
the highest natural adult male voice.
What is a Tenor?
400
Means "air" in Italian. This is a piece of music written for a solo singer usually with instrumental accompaniment.
What is an aria?
400
Means "master" in Italian. Used as a courtesy title for the conductor (male or female).
What is Maestro?
400
directions given to the performers for movement on stage.
What is Blocking?
400
a group of singers of all vocal ranges, singing together to support the vocal leads.
What is a Chorus?
500
the upper part of a voice in which the vocal chords do not vibrate completely. Usually used by males to imitate a female voice.
What is Falsetto
500
the last musical number of an opera or an act.
What is a Finale?
500
Italian for "little book." It is the text or story of the opera.
What is Libretto?
500
elaborate ornamentation of music written for a singer using many fast notes and trills. Also used to describe a singers who sings this type of music.
What is Coloratura?
500
a production can have two or three of these. Someone who is in charge of lighting, costumes, or the set. They work closely with the stage director to give the production a distinct look.
What is a Designer?