THE LANGUAGE OF
Opera
AC T
ARIA
BALLET
BLOCKING
CHORUS
CONDUC TOR
DUET
LIBRET TO
ORCH ES T R A
OV ERT U R E
PROGR A M
R E C I TAT I V E
REHEARSAL
SCENE
main section of a play or opera
a solo song sung in an opera
dance set to music
action on stage
usic composed for a group of singers; the name of a group of
m
singers in an opera
person who rehearses and leads the orchestra
a song performed by two singers
the text or words in an opera, an opera’s script
a group of musicians who play together on various
musical instruments
a piece of instrumental music played at the beginning
of an opera
booklet that contains information about the opera, composer,
performers, the opera company, and includes advertisements
words that are sung in the rhythm of natural speech
time when singers/actors practice with or without the orchestra;
time when musicians practice together with the conductor
segments of action within the acts of an opera
Soprano, Christine Goerke, sings the title
role in Turandot at Opera Philadelphia.
Photo: Kelly & Massa Photography
6