Musical Practice and Performance Stack Exchange
Musical Practice and Performance Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [opera]

Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text (called a libretto) and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting.

Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, costumes, and sometimes includes dance. The performance is typically given in an opera house, accompanied by an orchestra or smaller musical ensemble.

39 questions
15
votes
2 answers

Singing an opera "all'italiana"

When an opera is played without staging (be it either a rehearsal or an actual concert) it is called all'italiana (translated: "in the italian style"). Or, at least, this is how we call it here in Italy. This term is used when the singers are not…
Saturnix
  • 993
  • 6
  • 17
13
votes
2 answers

Do some measures get no numbers, in an opera score?

I'm counting measures and confirming measure numbers in an opera score, and I've come across a discrepancy. I wonder what this means about conventions for numbering measures in opera scores in general. Do some measures not get numbers, or did I…
Jim DeLaHunt
  • 313
  • 1
  • 10
11
votes
1 answer

What does this sideways triangular marking mean?

In this score to the Barber of Seville, these rightward pointing triangles appear. I first thought that it may just be an unusual way of showing the accent mark > but this also appears. Does anyone know what these triangles mean?
Richard N
  • 113
  • 4
10
votes
1 answer

What is the process by which singers identify their voice type/fach?

I am trying to gain insight about the process by which vocalists identify their voice type or fach. I am not looking for any discussion about the basic distinctions between, say, soprano and alto. Voice types, such as coloratura soprano or lyric…
jordanconductor
  • 623
  • 4
  • 13
8
votes
3 answers

Has opera traditionally been enjoyed by aristocracy only or the masses too?

I was reading A History of Opera by Abbate and Parker. On page 19, they say And although its financial basis has gradually broadened...opera in its primary form, theatrical form has typically been the province of elite groups, only becoming more…
Stan Shunpike
  • 2,737
  • 1
  • 16
  • 32
8
votes
4 answers

Why do famous conductors rarely conduct ballet?

Why do famous conductors rarely conduct ballet? However, many famous conductors spend a large chunk of their time conducting operas beside just symphonic works.
LAsder
  • 81
  • 1
8
votes
1 answer

What is the meaning of the "chiaroscuro" sound that was considered ideal in Classical and early-Romantic Italian opera?

Apparently, in Classical and early-Romantic Italian opera (the "bel canto" opera repertoire), the ideal kind of vocal colour was a so-called chiaroscuro sound. The chiaro- part translates as "clear" or "bright", while the -scuro part translates as…
Julian Newman
  • 275
  • 1
  • 4
7
votes
3 answers

What is the difference between Soprano leggero and lyric soprano?

Are they the same fach but in a different language? Because I don't see any evidence of leggero fach in english. Could you give me some examples of Leggero singer and roles?
user233687
  • 151
  • 2
  • 6
6
votes
1 answer

What was opera performance practice like in Wagner's time?

I know that opera performance practice was unlike that of the 20th century in, say, the 18th century in that the audience was often noisy and distracted. I'd like to know where and when the modern practice of sitting quietly and listening…
principal
  • 163
  • 3
6
votes
1 answer

Does bar numbering restart for each act of an opera?

Perhaps a slightly odd question... I’m preparing the vocal score for a two act opera and was wondering whether it is standard for numbering to continue throughout the whole opera or to start numbering at 1 again for each act?
J Marie
  • 63
  • 2
5
votes
2 answers

Is it a reasonable assumption that the best singers perform the lead roles?

For example, is it reasonable to assume that in a performance of The Phantom of the Opera, the best female singer plays Christine and the best male singer(s) play Raoul and the Phantom? Intuitively it feels like the answer should be "yes", but my…
Allure
  • 528
  • 4
  • 13
4
votes
2 answers

Meaning of the words "Recitativo" and "tutte le corde" in music?

I am trying to understand Romantic music. I came across this extract from Beethoven's Piano Sonata op.110 from the Allegro man non troppo part. I want to understand what the words "Recitativo" and "tutte le corde" mean? The internet explained…
Grace
  • 1,755
  • 2
  • 9
  • 29
4
votes
1 answer

In the aria "Queen of the Night", is there a name for the "screaming" part?

In the aria "Queen of the Night", is there a name for the "screaming" part located here: I also hear it used in other arias sometimes. Is it a technique or just a phrase (sequence of notes) that certain arias have?
Lenny
  • 1,160
  • 2
  • 10
  • 24
4
votes
1 answer

Why do baroque operas tend to have postmodernist stage designs?

I have made the observation that baroque operas seemingly tend to have more modern, and frequently grotesque stage designs than more recent operas. A good example are the operas of Händel, many of which I have seen with markedly postmodernist…
Constantin
  • 359
  • 2
  • 3
  • 7
3
votes
1 answer

How are the Polovtsian Dances numbered?

I am trying to understand the numbering of Borodin's Polovtsian Dances, from Prince Igor. They seem to be performed as an undivided group (lasting about twelve minutes) yet the first dance is No. 8? Wikipedia suggests there are two dances, numbered…
Erick Verran
  • 185
  • 4
1
2 3