THE OVERTURE of The Marriage of Figaro By Elizabeth McAnally
An overture is an instrumental piece of music played at the very beginning of an opera. Overtures help to prepare the audience by setting the scene and establishing a mood. Many overtures, such as Mozart's overture to The Marriage of Figaro, are frequently performed as concert pieces. Listen to the overture for yourself and record what you hear! Think about how you would describe this overture to a friend. After listening to the overture, what can you predict about the plot of this opera?
tinyurl.com/overturefigaro
DY N A M I C S Circle the LOUDEST dynamic you hear
Circle the SOFTEST dynamic you hear
TEXTURE TEMPO What is the speed of the over ture?
P R E S TO - Ve r y F a s t M O D E R A TO - M o d e r a t e L E N TO - Ve r y S l o w
How would you describe the texture?
THICK
(many instruments and musical ideas)
THIN (few instruments and musical ideas)
IM AGINE What image comes to mind when you hear this music? Draw it in the space b e l o w.
MOOD
X
Place an next to the words that DON'T match the music.
J O LLY CA LM JUMPY ANGRY SORROWFUL
S LEEPY E X C I TE D BUSY P EA C EFU L
55