Opera

Opera

Industry: Drama

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Opera

pizzicato

Drama; Opera

A direction in music for an instrument to be plucked with the fingers instead of bowed.

portamento

Drama; Opera

The smooth movement in singing or playing a stringed instrument from one note to the next; often interchanged with “glissando” (gliding) which means sliding from one pitch to the next.

prelude

Drama; Opera

An instrumental introduction to an act within a musical drama.

prima donna

Drama; Opera

‘Leading Lady’, the female lead in an opera cast, or the characteristic of considering oneself the chief soprano.

A member of the musical staff who sits in a small box under the apron of the stage and cues the chorus and singers just before their entrances. Prompters are particularly welcome in European opera ...

props

Drama; Opera

Articles used by the performers to enhance the plot, i.e., handkerchiefs (Othello), bottles of wine (L’elisir d’amore), swords (La Forza del Destino), letters (Eugene Onegin).