Terminology and Operatic Jargon

Opera is full of musical terminology and industry jargon that can confuse newcomers and long-time opera goers alike. This lesson focuses on demystifying common words, turns of phrase, and common terminology in the opera industry, so you can feel more confident jumping into operatic conversations at intermission, discuss your latest operatic experiences with friends and family, and better understand reviews, articles, and books that focus on operatic works and performances.

This topics covered in this lesson, each with its own short lecture video, are as follows:

• What is Opera? (4 mins)
• The term “Opera” and the “Canon” (6 mins)
• Libretti (6 mins)
• The Orchestra (10 mins)
• How an Opera is Organized (18 mins)
• What comes First, the Words or the Music? (30 mins)
• Musical Terms (20 mins)