Character & Mood in Music 12: Music on the Stage (Baroque and Classical Opera)

Now we look at wow composers depict character and mood on stage through singing and orchestra.

What is opera? A play that is sung.

It may consist of various types of movement:

• Recitative – text sung but a speech rhythm
• Aria – a solo song
• Duet / Trio & other sung ensembles
• Chorus – usually of either principal characters singing together, or the Chorus being the background voices / observing crowd

It may also have overtures and other movements for scene changes.

An oratorio is a concert-staging of a religious theme, similar in structure to an opera

Next: Focus Work – the ‘Wisdom Trio’ from Handel’s Solomon