Vocal Music of the Romantic Period

Flashcards covering important vocabulary related to the vocal music of the Romantic Period.

Libretto

The text used in an opera.

Aria

The solo singing part in an opera.

Recitative

Declamatory singing used in prose parts and dialogue of the opera.

Lieder

The German word for song.

Soprano

The highest female voice in singing.

Tenor

The highest male voice in singing.

Baritone

The middle male voice, lying between bass and tenor.

Bass

The lowest male voice in singing.

Carmen

The most famous masterpiece of Georges Bizet.

Madame Butterfly

A famous opera by Giacomo Puccini.

Falsetto

A weaker and more airy voice usually in the higher pitch ranges.

Vibrato

Rapidly repeated slight pitch variation during a sustained note.

Dolce

Meaning sweetly in singing.

Glissando

Sliding quickly between two notes.

Tessitura

The most comfortable singing range of a singer.

Wagner

Composer known for his innovations in opera and influence on film scores.

Romanticism

An artistic movement characterized by emotional subjectivity and individualism.