FRIDA KAHLO AND THE BRAVEST GIRL IN THE WORLD

What is Opera

Opera (the Italian word for ‘work’) is an art form that tells a story through music and singing. Unlike a musical, opera singers do not use microphones to amplify their voices. Opera is an art form that was popular many centuries ago but is still popular today with new operas being written every year!

Terms and Vocabulary

• ACT: A portion of an opera designated by the composer, which has a dramatic structure of its own.

• ARIA: A solo piece written for a main character, which highlights the character's thoughts and emotion.

• BATON: A short stick that the conductor uses to lead the orchestra.

• BRAVO: Literally, a form of applause when shouted by members of the audience at the end of an especially pleasing performance.

• COLORATURA: Elaborate ornamentation of vocal music written using many fast notes and trills.

• CURTAIN CALL: At the end of a performance, all of the members of the cast and the conductor take bows. Sometimes this is done in front of the main curtain, hence the name curtain call. Often, however, the bows are taken on the full stage with the curtain open.

• DRESS REHEARSAL: A final rehearsal that uses all of the costumes, lights, etc. While sometimes it is necessary to stop for corrections, an attempt is made to make it as much like a final performance as possible.

• INTERMISSION: A long break, usually about 20 minutes, between the acts of an opera, during which the audience is free to move around, get refreshments and use the restroom.

• LIBRETTO: The text or words of an opera.; the librettist (person who write the libretto) for Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World was written my Mark Campbell.

• OVERTURE: An orchestral introduction to an opera

• PROPERTIES (PROPS): Small items carried or used by performers on stage.

• RECITATIVE: Words sung in a conversational style, usually to advance the plot. Not to be confused with aria. The recitative is often the back and forth dialogue in the opera between two or more characters.

• SET: The background and furnishings on the stage.

• SUPERTITLES: Translations of the words being sung, or the actual words if the libretto is in the native language, that are projected on a screen above the stage.