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- DictionaryO·pe·ra se·ri·a/ˌäp(ə)rə ˈsirēə/
noun
- 1. an opera (especially one of the 18th century in Italian) on a serious, usually classical or mythological theme.
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Opera seria (Italian pronunciation: [ˈɔːpera ˈsɛːrja]; plural: opere serie; usually called dramma per musica or melodramma serio) is an Italian musical term which refers to the noble and "serious" style of Italian opera that predominated in Europe from the 1710s to about 1770.
opera seria, (Italian: “serious opera”), style of Italian opera dominant in 18th-century Europe. It emerged in the late 17th century, notably in the work of Alessandro Scarlatti and other composers working in Naples, and is thus frequently called Neapolitan opera.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Feb 17, 2023 · The meaning of OPERA SERIA is an 18th century opera with a heroic or legendary subject.
- Bel Canto. Bel canto definition: Bel canto translates to “beautiful singing” in Italian and is a lyrical style of operatic singing that uses a rich, broad tone and smooth phrasing.
- Cadenza. Cadenza definition: A cadenza is a musical passage where a singer performs a few vocally impressive measures to highlight their character and show off their talents.
- Coloratura. Coloratura definition: Coloratura is elaborately embellished vocal music that includes a lot of fast notes, runs, trills, and wide melodic leaps in each syllable.
- Impresario. Impresario definition: An impresario is the person who runs an opera company. This role is also sometimes known as the “Artistic Director” or “General Manager” of the opera company.
Jul 17, 2023 · Opera Seria, also known as ‘serious opera,’ is a genre of Italian opera that rose to fame in the 18th century. Composed for individual star singers, these productions emphasized political intrigue and history, showcasing the virtuosity of their performers through long, elaborate arias.
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Opera seria definition: Italian dramatic opera of the 18th century based typically on a classical subject and characterized by extensive use of the aria da capo and recitative.. See examples of OPERA SERIA used in a sentence.
Quick Reference. (It.). Serious opera. In the 17th and 18th cents., opera seria was the chief operatic genre, becoming very formal and complex, with elaborate display arias. Mythological subjects were the norm, and most of these were written for various composers by the librettist Metastasio.
