Music - Opera

Here you will learn some English words related to opera such as "baritone", "interval", and "breeches role".

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opera house [noun]

a theater designed for performing operas

Ex: The opera house features elaborate staging and costumes for its productions .

opera star [noun]

a highly skilled and accomplished singer who performs leading roles in operatic productions

Ex: The opera star 's name was synonymous with excellence in the opera world , with fans eagerly anticipating each of her performances .

baritone [noun]

a male singing voice that is classified between bass and tenor, characterized by a lower and richer tone

bass [noun]

a male singing voice with the lowest pitch range

verismo [noun]

a style of opera or literature portraying realistic and gritty depictions of everyday life

breeches role [noun]

a role where a female is portraying a male character in opera, typically dressed in male clothing

tessitura [noun]

the comfortable range of pitches within a piece of music or a vocal part where the performer's voice or instrument sounds natural and resonant

operetta [noun]

a light-hearted theatrical production blending singing, music, and spoken dialogue, often featuring comedic or romantic themes

Ex: The local theater company is putting on an operetta based on a French farce , promising audiences an evening of laughter and music .

interval [noun]

a short break between different parts of a theatrical or musical performance

Ex: The performers used the interval to prepare for the next scene .

coloratura [noun]

a type of soprano singer known for their ability to perform intricate and embellished vocal passages

Ex: Critics hailed the coloratura as a master of her craft , praising her ability to execute even the most challenging vocal embellishments with ease .

continuo [noun]

a style of musical accompaniment where a keyboard instrument plays a bassline along with improvised chords

Ex: In the opera rehearsal , the continuo player followed the conductor closely to support the singers .

contralto [noun]

a type of classical female singing voice characterized by its low range and rich, resonant quality

Ex: The folk song was sung in a haunting contralto , filling the room with its soulful sound .

countertenor [noun]

the highest male singing voice, often akin to the alto range for female singers

Ex: The countertenor filled the concert hall , carrying the emotive depth of the piece .

diva [noun]

a renowned female opera singer

Ex: The opera house celebrated its anniversary with a special concert featuring a world-famous diva .

dramma giocoso [noun]

an Italian operatic genre that combines elements of both drama and comedy, featuring a mix of serious and humorous elements in the plot, music, and overall tone

libretto [noun]

the text of a musical play, an opera, or other extended vocal works

Ex: The opera 's success was largely due to its compelling libretto , which told a dramatic and emotionally resonant story .

mezzo-soprano [noun]

a type of classical female singing voice situated between the soprano and contralto ranges

Ex: Critics praised the mezzo-soprano for its versatility , capable of conveying both power and sensitivity .

opera buffa [noun]

a genre of Italian comic opera known for lighthearted storylines, witty dialogue, and comedic situations, featuring accessible music and often stock characters

recitative [noun]

a style of vocal singing in opera and oratorio characterized by a speech-like delivery, used to advance the plot or convey dialogue

Ex: The singer 's expressive recitative captivated the audience , drawing them into the drama unfolding on stage .

soprano [noun]

the highest vocal range for a female singer

Ex: The high notes of the soprano soared above the orchestra , captivating listeners with their purity and clarity .

tenor [noun]

the highest voice range of an average male singer

castrato [noun]

a male singer with a unique voice type resulting from castration before puberty

Ex: Critics praised the castrato for his ability to sing with both power and grace , navigating through intricate melodic lines with ease .

act [noun]

a main part of a play, opera, or ballet

Ex: The final act of the ballet featured an impressive display of choreography .

overture [noun]

the introductory piece of an opera, ballet, oratorio or any lengthy musical performance

Ex: The composer 's overture beautifully encapsulated the themes of the entire symphony , serving as an engaging introduction for the listeners .

aria [noun]

a long, elaborate song that is melodious and is intended for a solo voice, especially in an opera

alto [noun]

the lower register of the female voice, known for its warm and rich timbre

Ex: The alto of the ensemble provided a solid foundation with its warm and velvety sound .

librettist [noun]

a person who writes the words of a musical play or an opera, known as libretto

falsetto [noun]

a male singing voice that extends over the range of a tenor voice, hitting unusually high notes

treble [noun]

the part in harmonic music or the voice with the highest pitch that belongs to a boy or female vocalist

Ex:

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