The Language of Opera
| ACT |
main sections of a play or opera |
| ARIA |
a solo song sung in an opera |
| BALLET |
dance set to music |
| BLOCKING |
action on stage |
| CHORUS |
music composed for a group of singers; the name of a group of singers in an opera |
| CONDUCTOR |
person who rehearses and leads the orchestra |
| DUET |
a song performed by two singers |
| LIBRETTO |
the text or words in an opera, an opera’s script |
| ORCHESTRA |
a group of musicians who play together on various musical instruments |
| OVERTURE |
a piece of instrumental music played at the beginning of an opera |
| PROGRAM |
booklet that contains information about the opera, composer, performers, the opera company, and includes advertisements |
| RECITATIVE |
words that are sung in the rhythm of natural speech |
| REHEARSAL |
time when singers/actors practice with or without the orchestra; time when musicians practice together with the conductor |
| SCENE |
segments of action within the acts of an opera |
