2. Opera became increasingly popular during the Romantic period.
It is a story told by the composers through music while using the words of the
librettist.
The book that the composer and librettist put together is a called a score.
During each act, the story unfolds through the music that the singers sing.
Different roles in the operas are created taking into account different types
of voices.
Most dialogues are sang or in recitative style.
Certain aria or solo singing part is what the public will remember best when
leaving the opera house.
3. Components of an Opera
Libretto – the text
of an opera. Librettist
and the composer
work closely together
to tell a story.
4. Components of an Opera
Score – the book
that the composer
and librettist put
together. The score
has all the musical
notes, words and
ideas to help the
performers tell the
story.
5. Components of an Opera
Recitative – declamatory singing,
used in the prose parts and
dialogue of opera. Different roles
in operas are created taking into
account different types of voices.
Each role requires a different
type of singer, not only able to
sing a given vocal range but also
with certain voice characteristics,
color and power.
6. Components of an Opera
Aria – an air or solo singing
part sung by a principal
character. This song is what
the public will remember
best when leaving the opera
house. Properly and well
sung, a beautiful aria can
bring an audience to its feet
and decide the fate of an
entire opera.
7.
8. VOICE CLASSIFICATION
FOR THE MALE VOICES:
1. Tenor – the highest male voice
2. Baritone – middle male voice, lies between Bass and Tenor voices. It
is the common male voice.
3. Bass – lowest male voice.
9. VOICE CLASSIFICATION
FOR THE FEMALE VOICES:
1. Soprano – highest female voice
2. Coloratura – highest soprano voice
3. Lyric – bright and full sound
4. Dramatic – darker full sound
5. Mezzo – Soprano – most common female voice; strong middle voice, tone
is darker or deeper that the soprano
6. Contralto – lowest female voice and most unique among female
10. Duet, trio, and other small
ensemble
Chorus
Orchestra
Acts – main divisions of an opera
Scene – setting or place
11. Musical Terms:
A Capella – one or more singers performing without instrumental accompaniment
Cantabile – in a singing style
Capo – Head, the beginning
Coda – closing section appended to a movement or song
Dolce – sweetly
Falsetto – a weaker and more airy voice usually in the higher pitch ranges
Glissando – sliding quickly between 2 notes
Passagio – parts of a singing voice where register transitions occur.
Rubato – slight speeding up or slowing down of the tempo of a piece at the
discretion of the soloist.
Tessitura – the most comfortable singing range of a singer.
Vibrato – rapidly repeated slight pitch variation during a sustained note, to give a
richer and more varied sound.
20. For your activity:
Instructions:
Class will be grouped into two.
Read the examples of the story of 2 famous operas of the Romantic Period.
Group 1 La Traviata
Group 2 Madame Butterfly
Study the characteristics of the assigned opera
Perform a mini opera regarding on the assigned opera during the Romantic Period.
GOOD LUCK!!!!
