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score - the written melodies / notes of music (created by a composer)
season is the time period in which new shows tend to open - fall through spring (like television!)
self-quotation - re-using melodies that one has composed oneself. (Quotation of other people’s music is where one runs the risk of plagiarism)
septet - a number featuring seven singers
sequence - a melodic phrase which is repeated at higher or lower pitch levels
sextet - a number featuring six singers
show-stopper - a number which is received so enthusiastically by the audience that their sustained applause "stops" the production for a period of time.
singing styles - the 'character' of the way words can be set to music
- arioso - half speech-like, half sung (the oldest type)
- aria - a melodic style of singing which usually conveys the singer's emotions
- recitative - a rapid, speech-like style of singing which usually conveys the storyline as quickly as possible
Singspiel (pronounced "Zing-shpeel") - a German-language genre which has arias, but uses spoken dialogue (where an Italian opera would use recitative)
soliloquy- a number performed by a soloist as if he or she is musing aloud
solo - a number featuring one singer
song form - a form that conforms to the pattern A A B A' (sometimes called "32-bar form," "popular song form," or "pop song form")
song plugger - in the early 20th century, a person who advertised new tunes in music stores by performing them for customers or shopkeepers
star turn - a song and/or dance that features one of the leading characters, allowing him or her to show off his or her talents
star vehicle - a show that is designed, from the start, to show off the talents of a particular actor or singer.
strophic form - a form that follows the pattern A A A (etc.).
syllabic - a text setting that has one note per syllable of text
syncopation - a rhythmic effect in which notes on weak beats (or between the beats) are emphasized; a common jazz technique.
tempo - the speed of the music. Some common labels are:
- adagio - slow
- andante - walking speed
- moderato - moderate
- allegro - fast
- presto - very fast
Music can change its tempo in the course of a piece. Growing faster is called accelerando (pronounced "a-CHELL-er-AWN-doe"); growing slower is called ritardando (pronounced "RE-tar-DAWN-doe").
ternary form - a form that has an opening section, a contrasting section, and then returns to the opening section, i.e. A B A. Sometimes called "da capo form" or "3-part form."
text expression - music written so that it underscores the meaning or mood of the words, such as:
- choice of tempo (speed). I.E., fast = exciting; slow = serious
- word-painting - using music to "illustrate" a particular word or phrase. I.E., Singing the word "loud" loudly
text setting - words and music can correspond in various ways. Two types most common in musical theater:
- syllabic - one note per syllable of text
- melismatic - several (or sometimes many!) notes per syllable of text; often associated with operatic singing
texture - the way that melody is used in a piece
- monophony - a melody with no accompaniment
- homophony - a melody with accompaniment
- polyphony - two or more melodies heard simultaneously
• imitative - a melody starts in one voice and is then overlapped by a second voice singing the same melody
• non-imitative - two or more different melodies performed at the same time
through-composed - no clear repetition in a piece (it has no form)
touring company - a group of singers (and often an orchestra) who travel and perform an opera or musical in various cities.
trio - a number featuring three singers
triple meter - the beats are arranged in groups of three (1-2-3-1-2-3-1-2-3-1-2-3, or strong-weak-weak-strong-weak-weak)
tryout tour - a production which opens "out-of-town" (not in New York) in an effort to test it before its Broadway opening
Twentieth-Century - the term for the musical era ranging from approximately 1900 to the present.
verse-chorus form - a subset of alternation form, with a pattern that alternates between two contrasting sections - a B a B (etc.), with a B text that is the same each time. The form should have at least two appearances of each section.
virtuoso/virtuosa - a very talented performer
vision song - a selection in which the singer describes something (usually in vivid detail) that is believable–but does not actually exist
vocal introduction - an opening section performed by the singer which differs slightly in style from the remainder of the song. Like an instrumental introduction, it usually "sets the mood." It may be in a different tempo or not have a steady beat at all (like recitative). Occasionally it is in a different mode from the remainder of the song.
voice type - the classification given to a singer's voice, based primarily on its range. The most common voice types are:
- soprano - a high-pitched woman's voice
- alto - a low-pitched woman's voice
- tenor - a high-pitched man's voice
- bass - a low-pitched man's voice
Two other voice type labels are often used. These are:
• mezzo-soprano - a female voice type midway between soprano and alto
• baritone - a male voice type midway between tenor and bass
West End - the theatre district in London
word-painting - a type of text expression, using music to "illustrate" a particular word or phrase. I.E., singing the word "loud" loudly