Opera

Opera

Industry: Drama

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Opera

composer

Drama; Opera

A person who writes the music and sets the text to music including the orchestrations, the vocal parts, and the chorus parts.

comprimario

Drama; Opera

A singer who plays a secondary role such as a confidante, servant, messenger. Emilia, Desdemona’s maid in Verdi’s Othello, is an example of a comprimario role.

concertmaster

Drama; Opera

The first chair violinist who plays occasional solos and is responsible for coordinating all the stringed instruments. The concertmaster decides on the bowing so that all of the bows moved in unison.

concerto

Drama; Opera

Ialian word for striving together; usually composed for one or more soloists and orchestra.

conductor

Drama; Opera

The leader of the band or orchestra who interprets the music and shapes the pace of the work.

continuo

Drama; Opera

A small group of instruments that accompanies recitatives in baroque music that includes cello, harpsichord/organ. Operas of Handel, Monteverdi, and Mozart use continuo players.

contralto

Drama; Opera

The lowest female voice. Often portraying comic, other-worldy, or matronly roles, such as Cornelia in Handel’s Giulio Cesare, Mistress Quickly in Verdi’s Falstaff, La Cieca in Ponchielli’s La ...