overture

instrumental music played by the orchestra at the beginning of the opera. Composers often use the melody materials of important arias in operas here, and give the audience plot hints (such as comedy or tragedy nature, plot development context, etc.). Some long, independent and complete overtures are often played in concerts, such as Leonora no.3 (Leonardo's third overture, 185) written by Beethoven for the opera Fidelio. However, some overtures are short and actually just a prelude.

interlude

music played by an orchestra between scenes of an opera. Some more independent and complete interludes will also appear in the concert.

aria

A solo passage in an opera, which is used to express the feelings of characters and show singing skills. It is the most important form of singing in opera.

recitation tune

is also translated as recitation tune, which is a solo passage between singing and recitation used for dialogue and narration in opera. In the 17th and 18th century operas, there was a clear difference between recitation and aria, usually after recitation, a long aria appeared, but later the boundary between them was gradually broken, recitation strengthened the singing, and aria also had the nature of recitation.

Ballad

is also translated as Cavatina, which is a kind of aria. It is short and has a one-paragraph structure, for example, Bellini's Cavatina "Castadiva" from Norma (1831), while Aria is usually a three-part body with retrospection.

duet

duet is a very effective technique in opera, which can make several people sing with their own characteristic tones at the same time, or express the same content or completely different content, resulting in vivid dramatic and three-dimensional effects.

Chorus

Chorus in opera can often lead to a dramatic climax, set off a grand and warm atmosphere, and create a contrast effect with delicate and lyrical solo. Chorus in some operas has become an important part of the concert.

Main melody

As the musical motivation of a certain character, an event, an idea or a symbol of an object in opera theme music, it is a distinctive "label", and the composer shows the development of the plot through its repeated appearance. Wagner is the composer who likes leitmotiv best and is good at using it. In addition, Weber, Richard Strauss and others also use this technique. Belioz used this technique in symphonies and called it "idee fixe".

Dance music

Dance scenes are often inserted in operas. Some of these dances are independent and complete, so they are often played in concerts. In early operas, especially French operas, in order to cater to people's interests, dance scenes (such as Lully's opera-ballet) that have little connection with the plot are often added. Later, after reform, dance scenes are closely related to the plot, and it becomes an organic part of opera.

differences between operas, musicals and oratorios