Opera
Opera refers to an European art form consisting of a dramatic stage performance set to music. Comparable art forms from other parts of the world are usually prefaced with an adjective indicating the region; examples include Chinese opera and Beijing opera.
Related Topics:
Europe - Art - Dramatic - Music - Chinese opera - Beijing opera
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The drama is presented using the typical elements of theatre such as scenery, costumes, and acting. However, the words of the opera, or libretto, are sung rather than spoken. The singers are accompanied by a musical ensemble ranging from a small instrumental ensemble to a full symphonic orchestra.
Related Topics:
Theatre - Costume - Acting - Libretto - Sung - Singer - Musical ensemble - Orchestra
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Opera draws from many other art forms. Whether the words or the music are paramount has been the subject of debate since the 17th century and earlier in the case of all vocal works. The visual arts, such as painting, are employed to create the visual spectacle on the stage, which is considered an important part of the performance, in the Baroque "English opera" or Restoration spectacular even the dominant aspect of it. Finally, dancing is often part of an opera performance, particularly in France.
Related Topics:
17th century - Painting - Baroque - Restoration spectacular - Dancing
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Singers and the roles they play are classified according to their vocal ranges. A particular singer's classifications change drastically over his or her lifetime, rarely reaching vocal maturity until the third decade, and sometimes not until middle age. Male singers are classified as bass, bass-baritone, baritone, tenor and countertenor. Female singers are classified, as contralto, mezzo-soprano and soprano. Each of these classifications has subcategories, such as lyric soprano, coloratura, soubrette, spinto, and dramatic soprano, which associate the singer's voice with the roles most suitable to the vocal timbre and quality and its range, or tessitura. The German Fach system is an especially organized system of classification.
Related Topics:
Bass - Bass-baritone - Baritone - Tenor - Countertenor - Contralto - Mezzo-soprano - Soprano - Coloratura - Fach
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Traditional opera consists of two modes of singing: recitative, the dialogue and plot-driving passages often sung in a non-melodic style characteristic of opera, and aria, during which the movement of the plot often pauses, with the music becoming more melodic in character and the singer focusing on one or more topics or emotional affects. Short melodic or semi-melodic passages occurring in the midst of what is otherwise recitative are also referred to as arioso; in the late 19th century, many composers abolished much of the distinction between recitative and aria, writing opera which is essentially presented in a restlessly melodic arioso style throughout. All types of singing in opera are accompanied by musical instruments, though until the late 18th century generally, and persisting until even later in some regions, recitative was accompanied by only the continuo group (harpsichord and 'cello or bassoon). During the period when composers often used both methods of recitative accompaniment in the same opera, the continuo-only practice was referred to as "secco" (dry) recitative, while orchestral-accompanied recitative was called "accompagnato" or "stromentato."
Related Topics:
Recitative - Aria - Musical instrument
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Some genres of opera use spoken dialogue accompanied or unaccompanied by an orchestra rather than recitative. Such dialogue also is the essential feature of melodrama, in its original 19th century sense. Such melodrama grew partly from the practice that seems to have originated in the 16th century of writing incidental music to stage plays, either those already existing or newly composed. The most familiar example of such to most readers will probably be Mendelssohn's music for A Midsummer Night's Dream; this work is almost certainly the most frequently performed of the genre in a context separate from its accompanying play, and has been transcribed for nearly all imaginable chamber combinations, as well as concert band. The pit orchestra underscoring the dramatic action in 19th century melodrama survives in today's tradition of film scores, and spectacular films incorporating serious music can be considered the direct heirs of melodrama. Perhaps such film scores can in some sense even be considered both the heirs and the competitors of grand opera.
Related Topics:
Melodrama - Incidental music - Mendelssohn - A Midsummer Night's Dream - Film scores - Grand opera
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ Table of Content ~
| ► | Introduction |
| ► | History |
| ► | Sociology of opera |
| ► | See also |
| ► | Further reading |
| ► | External links |
~ Community ~
| ► | History Forum Come and discuss about History, Civilizations, Historical Events and Figures |
| ► | History Web-Ring A community of sites, blogs and forums dedicated to History. Do not hesitate to submit your site. |
Latest news on opera
ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT LOCATED IN THE HEART SAN FRANCISCO**AMSI** (downtown / civic / van ness) $3955 1bd
Location: Golden Gate & Van Ness, San Francisco The property features: - One bathroom - View of Twin Peaks! - Fully equipped kitchen - Deck/Sauna/Jacuzzi/Fitness Center - Private Balcony - Concierge, 24-hour security - Pets: No (small pet will be allowed) - Parking: Additional Household Appliances - Microwave - TV/Fast Internet service - Washer / Dryer in building - Stove + Oven - Common pool - Iron/Ironing - Cable - Stereo/CD/DVD Located in the heart of San Francisco's cultural center, Opera Plaza is a planned neighborhood that offers its residents, neighbors and visitors entertainment, dining and an atmosphere unlike any other residential complex. This pristine one bedroom apartment located on the 8th floor boasts a beautiful view of Twin Peaks from the private balcony. The elegant decor is perfect for a savvy traveler and corporate executive alike. Building amenities include concierge, 24-hour security doorman, cinemas, restaurants, pool, Jacuzzi and fitness center. Walking distance to the infamous San Francisco Opera House, Davis Symphony Hall, San Francisco Civic Center and surrounding Government Buildings. Bi- monthly maid service, cable television, high-speed Internet, basic utilities and secure parking are all included in this fantastic urban rental. To see our other fabulous furnished properties: - check on our website: www.amsires.com - click here for all furnished listings from AMSI! If you need more information, please send us an email: stars@amsiemail.com or visit our office, we are located at 2800 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94109 from Monday through Friday between 9am to 5pm. American Marketing Systems, Inc. is a licensed Real Estate Brokerage by the California Department of Real Estate. License # 01254853 exp.3/14/09
Opera nominated for two honours
A £1.5m production about a group of islands is in the running for two new Scottish awards.
Opera boss: Imitation is flattering
But Chrome code isn't worth a look Google's new Chrome browser borrows so much from Opera's browser, we had to ask Jon von Tetzchner, Opera's CEO, an obvious question today - had Google hired any of his staff??
Our Paris Apartment for your SF Place (haight ashbury)
CLASSIC PARISIAN APARTMENT in the heart of the City of Light: Situated in a 17th-century building just off the Place des Victoires (2nd arrondissement), we are two minutes from the Jardin du Palais Royal, five minutes from the Louvre, twelve minutes from the Opera Garnier, fifteen minutes from the Centre Pompidou, and a couple more minutes to the Marais. Napoleon Bonaparte once lived in our building. Our street, rue du Mailthe luxury textile center of Parisis also the nucleus of one of the citys most celebrated dining and shopping neighborhoods. Within two to four blocks in every direction youll find legendary Paris landmarks, including Le Grand Colbert (featured in Somethings Gotta Give, starring Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson), Le Grand Vefour (Colettes favorite), Drouant (hangout of Renoir, Rodin, Monet, and Zola), and Legrand Filles et Fils (great French epicerie and a serious wine bar for more than 100 years). Three blocks from us on Rue Montorgueil, you can shop for fresh produce, poulets roti, hundreds of cheeses, wines, olives, and breadsand when you get tired, plop down at any of the myriad of cafes and restaurants on and near this famous pedestrian street. Were on the #3 Metro line (Bourse or Sentier), or the #1 (Palais Royal-Louvre). The apartment, a jewel of a flat decorated with a Moroccan influence, sleeps four but is a perfect place for a couple looking for an intimate Paris getaway. It consists of three rooms, the front salon (TV room) dating from 1630 and the other two from 1650. The grand salon and bedroom have 15-foot ceilings and high double windows, so the flat feels very light and spacious. The bathroom (very Moroccan) has the biggest, deepest, greenest clawfoot tub youve ever luxuriated in. Details: One queen bed, one double sofa bed; Wi-Fi, cable TV, dishwasher, microwave, toaster, clothes washer, flat-screen TV, CD and DVD players and scores of CDs and movies.... No pets, please. My wife, Beth Arnold, and I are both writers (see our website, and learn how we made our way to France, at www.chasingmatisse.com). We have four children between us, two of whom live in San Franciscoso were especially looking for a swap in SF for Christmas 2008. We plan to be there from mid-December to around January 3; our dates are flexible. If youre interested in staying at our charming apartment in Paris, please get in touch. You can email us at ljmorg@hotmail.com and beth@betharnold.com. Looking forward to hearing from you. Best wishes, James Morgan 1, rue du Mail 75002 Paris FRANCE
Enjoy Opera Plaza Amenities (downtown / civic / van ness) $3000 2bd
and are licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
[Under Construction] - Spiritus-Temporis.com ©2005.