ARTISTIC SCENES Opera

Opera is one of the most complete musical genres that exists. This is because it combines literature, music, theatre and plastic arts. Various professionals are involved in directing, acting, character development, lighting, set-design and staging.

1 Look at the people that make up an opera. Read and match the number to the letter in your notebook.

1. Sopranos: High female voice. Usually the protagonist.

2. Mezzo-sopranos and altos: Female voices that are midrange and bass. They play supporting roles.

3. Tenors: High male voice. He is the hero and saves the day. Usually the protagonist.

4. Baritones and Bass: Middle and deep masculine voices. They usually play supporting roles.

5. Chorus: Guests, extras, soldiers… they are grouped on stage.

6. Directors or conductors: Directs the musicians and the singers.

7. Instrumentalists: They make up the orchestra and are located in the pit, in front of the stage.

A zarzuela is a musical genre similar to opera. It has got musical instruments, songs, dance and spoken dialogue.

Vocal timbre

1 Listen to the recording and write the letters in your notebook in the order that you hear them. Pay attention to the types of voices and the number of singers in each recording.

Differenttypesofvoices

7songs

1 Carmen,Bizet / (childrenschoir)

2 Cosifantutte,Mozart / (bass,baritone,tenor)

3 LaCenerentola,Rossini / (alto,menschoir)

4 Laflautamágica,Mozart/(soprano,femininetrio,tenor)

5 Lakmé,Léo Delibes / (mezzo-soprano,soprano)

6 LuciadiLammermoor,Donizetti / (baritone,tenor)

7 Rigoletto,Verdi/(baritone,tenor,mezzo-soprano,soprano)

Professions: Lyrical singer

A person who is capable of controlling their voice with extreme precision, power and technique. They are also able to master acting.

Quodlibet

The quodlibet is a musical form that consists of singing and playing different melodies at the same time. Songs are chosen so that the end result sounds like an instrumental or choral whole. Popular songs are usually used.

1 Listen, learn and sing the following quodlibet in two groups (A & B). You’ll see that when the two groups sing together they overlap on the red syllables.

Gata-tumba, tumba, tumba, con panderos y sonajas.

Gata-tumba, tumba, tumba, no te metas en las pajas.

Gata-tumba, tumba, tumba, toca el pito y el rabel.

Gata-tumba, tumba, tumba, tamboril y cascabel.

Canta, ríe, bebe, que hoy es Nochebuena, y en estos momentos no hay que tener pena.

Dale a la zambomba, dale al almirez, y dile a tu suegra que lo pase bien.

Look at the arrows. They show you where each Christmas carol begins.

Holly Jolly Christmas

1 Listen, learn and dance as instructed.

8 beats.

Turn to the left on the downbeat. Turn to the right on the downbeat.

Instrumental break.

Johnny Marks

(1909-1985)

Holly Jolly Christmas

A North-American composer who wrote many very popular Christmas songs such as A Holly Jolly Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, and Jingle, Jingle, Jingle.

Side steps and turning to the left and right with a partner are very common in traditional dances.