ROMANTIC OPERA

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.

Components of an Opera

Libretto – the text

of an opera. Librettist and the composer work closely together to tell a story.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Duet, trio, and other small ensemble

Chorus

Orchestra

Acts – main divisions of an opera

Scene – setting or place

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.

FAMOUS TENOR

LUCIANO PAVAROTTI ANDREA BOCELLI

FAMOUS MALE ARTISTS WITH BARITONE VOICE

ELVIS AARON PRESLEYJOSHUA WINSLOW

GROBAN

FAMOUS ARTISTS WITH BASS VOICES

JOHNNY CASH JAMES MORRISON

Famous Female Sopranos

MARIA CALLAS JOAN SUTHERLAND

FAMOUS FEMALE ARTISTS WITH MEZZO-SOPRANO VOICE

CELINE DION BEYONCE

FAMOUS FEMALE ARTISTS WITH MEZZO-SOPRANO VOICE

MADONNA WHITNEY HOUSTON

FAMOUS ARTISTS WITH CONTRALTO VOICES

KATY PERRY LADY GAGA

FAMOUS ARTISTS WITH CONTRALTO VOICES

MILEY CYRUS ADELE

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!!!!