Theatrical Devices
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Exposition = Reveals the character through song
Subjunctive (“love”) song = looking for better life, better love, or better world.
[Look for the if – stated or implied]
 Conflict = ideas, characters collide. Motion and tension!
Intermission
 Sorbet = To cleanse the palate or soften the mood. Gets the audience back in the mood.
Or….
 Buffo = Comedy. Also works to get audience back in mood of the production.
 Brotherhood/Community = Song to hold everyone together, an ensemble #.
 11 o’clock number = Hit song of the show. Should answer the subjunctive, if well written.
Choral Devices
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Recitative = Narrative, moves the action along.
Aria = Extended, showy vocal solo with melisma.
Chorus/Ensemble = Group singing (SATB, SSA, or TTBB)
Special Features
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Melisma = Many notes for 1 syllable for purpose of Expression.
Doctrine of Affections = Music complements (completes, note spelling) the words
Rubato = Performer’s slight deviation from strict rhythm (written by composer) for
expression.
Monish Lady = Explain this, from Irish in 1740s to plantation owners and slaves in the South.
Monish Lady, coming from the word Admonish, wails or moans to (a) ward off evil; (b) keep
the fathers in the community, holding it together; (c) warns of superstition; (d) keep away
drugs, such as slang “Gooferdust,” or cocaine. This dates back to Scott Joplin’s 1911 opera
Treemonisha.
Revised: March 2020