aria
Diva's vocal moment
An aria is a self-contained song for solo voice with instrumental accompaniment, typically in an opera, oratorio, or cantata.
Arias showcase a singer's vocal abilities and express a character's emotions at a dramatic moment: The soprano's aria brought the audience to tears.
The term distinguishes these elaborate pieces from recitative, the speech-like passages that advance the plot.
Highest female voice range
- tenorEssential meaning or import
- baritoneMid-range male voice
- mezzo-sopranoMedium female singing voice
- bassDeep pitch or fish
coloratura · bel canto · recitative · libretto · diva · prima donna · cadenza · virtuoso
Unbroken musical phrasing
- vibratoOscillating pitch effect
- falsettoArtificially elevated singing register
- head voiceUpper singing register
- chest voiceSinging from the ribcage
breath control · phrasing · melisma · portamento · crescendo · diminuendo · sustained · lyrical
soprano
Highest female voice range
- tenorEssential meaning or import
- baritoneMid-range male voice
- mezzo-sopranoMedium female singing voice
bass · coloratura · bel canto · recitative · libretto · diva · prima donna · cadenza · virtuoso · maestro
legato
Unbroken musical phrasing
- vibratoOscillating pitch effect
- falsettoArtificially elevated singing register
- head voiceUpper singing register
chest voice · breath control · phrasing · melisma · portamento · crescendo · diminuendo · sustained · lyrical · embellishment
passionate
Intensely emotional or enthusiastic
- dramaticStrikingly expressive or sudden
- plaintiveSounding sad, sorrowful
- longingIntense, persistent desire
lament · yearning · tragic · tender · triumphant · sorrowful · rapturous · heartfelt · poignant · intensity
tune
Musical sequence of notes
- compositionArranged elements forming whole
- motifRecurring thematic element
- cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
phrase · harmonic · melodic · expressive · lyrical · theme · contour · interval · sequence · movement
ariaspoken dialogue
Voiced character conversation
monologue · soliloquy · prose · declamation · speech