Grapes Guide.pdf - Minnesota Opera

operetta
oratorio
orchestra pit
overture
parlando
portamento
principal
proscenium
quartet
recitative
recitativo
accompagnato
recitativo secco
repertory
répétition
revolve
ritornello
rococo
role
A loosely used term, often used interchangeably with comic opera, opéra bouffe, and musical
comedy. In Italian it originally meant “little opera,” a short, light musical work. It has come
to mean a full-length piece on a light subject, with musical numbers and spoken dialogue, and
characterized by ingratiating tunes, decorative dances, colorful settings, social irresponsibility,
a slender dramatic line, and the requirement of at least two well-trained voices.
A musical-dramatic work originating in the twelfth century, now generally performed, in
contradistinction to opera, without action, costumes, and scenery. They are invariably
associated with sacred subjects.
The sunken area in front of the stage where the orchestra sits.
An orchestral introduction to the opera, usually played before the acting begins.
(It: ‘in speaking style’). An informal and realistic technique occasionally used in Italian opera,
bringing singing close to speaking.
An Italian singing term, asking the voice to glide from one note to another at some distance.
An authentic and effective device, to be distinguished from the mannerism of scooping.
A major singing role, or the singer who performs such a role.
The stage opening, resembling a three-sided picture frame. Immediately behind it and
concealing the acting areas is the curtain. The proscenium arch was originally created in the
1700s to conceal the machinery used to create special stage effects.
Four singers, or the music written for that group.
Musical singing in the rhythm of speech.
A sung passage with orchestral accompaniment, lacking the formality of an aria, yet more
declamatory and agitated than recitativo secco.
Dry recitative. A sung passage so close to everyday speech that although the pitches and time
values are respected, a conversational quality prevails. A keyboard instrument generally
supplies the sketchy accompaniment. Commonly used in Italian opera seria and opera buffa.
A system of stage production in which a number of works are played, virtually in rotation, by
a resident company throughout a season.
French term for “rehearsal.” A répétition générale is a dress rehearsal to which critics and
guests are invited.
Revolving stage. Turntable. A section of the stage floor (permanently established) or a circular
construction on a central pivot which revolves, to change scenery or supply movement of
objects as well as people.
A short instrumental piece, literally meaning repetition or refrain. In Monteverdi’s works it
usually consists of a few bars played between the verses of a strophic song.
In art, associated with the late Baroque period and the late eighteenth century. In contrast to
the dignity, heaviness, and occasional pomposity of Baroque, Rococo art is playful, lighter in
tone and color, and adorned with scrolls, acorns, and shells.
The character that a singer portrays.
glossary of opera terms 107