Components of an Opera

1. Components of an Opera
• Libretto – the text of an opera. Librettist and the
composer work closely
together to tell the story.
• 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. Often, there are operas with overtures, preludes,
prologues, several
acts, finales, and postludes.

2. 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.

3. 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. It is also important
to know the types of voice of singers. This will serve as a
guide for singers on their choice of songs and vocal quality
expected of a singer or opera character.

4. Madame Butterfly

5. Synopsis
When American naval vessels frequented Japanese seaports,
American Lieutenant Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton met Cio-
Cio-San (“Butterfly”) and was captivated by her beauty.
Pinkerton rented a Japanese house and part of his rental
package is his “betrothal” to Cio-Cio-San. Treating the
marriage merely as a casual affair, Pinkerton returns to America
after the wedding leaving Cio-Cio-San loyally waiting for his
return. He marries an American woman named Kate. When he
returns to Japan three years later with his American wife, he
learns that he borea son with Cio-Cio-San. Upon
learning that Pinkerton had married another woman, Cio-Cio-
San kills herself to make sure that Pinkerton takes their son
with him.