1. Created by: Laura Dedic Madison Central High School
Opera Basics
Created by:
Laura Dedic
Madison Central High School

2. What is Opera?
An Opera is a musical drama or comedy where the actors sing rather then speak their lines.
"Opera" is derived from the Italian word opus, which means work of art.

3. The Opera Story An opera tells a story. It can come from many sources,
including history, current events, magic, Bible, and fairy tales, legends, literature, poetry, and mythology.
Opera can be funny, sad, scary, dramatic, mysterious, imaginary, or a combination of the above

4. The Art Forms Included in Opera
Opera is a combination of many art forms:
singing,
orchestra,
music,
acting,
dancing,
mime,
costumes,
scenic design and
painting,
lighting,
and makeup design.

5. Structure
An Opera is structured like a play, with acts, scenes, and a variety of vocal forms including:
Arias (solos),
Ensembles (for 2 or more singers),
and Chorus (for a large group of singers).

6. Operatic Terms
The Libretto contains all of the words of an opera. The Librettist is the person who writes the words for the opera.
Characters are the people in the story.
A Synopsis is a short summary of what takes place in the story.

7. Operatic Terms
The Composer writes the music for the opera. All of the music, both vocal (for singers) and orchestral (for instrumentalists) is written in the Score.
The score should reflect the mood, events, and emotions of the characters in the story.

8. Operatic Terms
Recitative is the sung narrative (speaking) which propels the action of the story.
Aria is a solo number for a singer. This comes from the Italian word meaning tune or song. This is usually where the character expresses their feelings about a situation.

9. Opera Voices
Classically trained singers learn to use their voices so that they can be heard over a full symphony. They do this by learning to strengthen their diaphragms so they can project a steady stream of air that helps create a big sound.
Female voices are divided into three categories:
Soprano (highest) Prima Donna
Mezzo-Soprano (middle range)
Alto and Contralto (lowest)
Male voices are divided into three categories:
Tenor (highest)
Baritone (middle range)
Bass (lowest)

10. Trip to the Kentucky Opera

11. Sources
KET Enclyclomedia