VOCAL MUSIC OF THE

ROMANTIC PERIOD
The Opera

The Opera provides the best opportunities for all aspects in the music
of Romantic period to be combined into a single form. Romantic operas can
be characterized as extravagant spectacles with the tendency towards heroic
and epic subjects, supernaturalism, mystery, and passion. Dominated by the
Italian style with its multiplicity of closed forms, but in 19 centuries, Italy,
France, and Germany continued to develop their own styles with special
qualities that were indigenous to each. It is a musical composition having all
or most of its text set to music with arias, recitative, choruses, duets, trios, etc.
sung to orchestral accompaniment. The opera is usually characterized by
elaborate costumes, scenery and choreography.

COMPONENTS OF AN OPERA
1. Libretto - the text of an opera. Librettist and the composer work closely
together to tell the story.
2. Score - the book that the composer and librettist put together. The score
has all the musical notes, words and ideas to help the performers to tell the
story. Often, there are operas with overtures, preludes, prologues, several
acts, finales and postludes.
3. Recitative - Declamatory singing, used in the prose parts and dialogue of
opera.
4. Aria – an air or solo singing part sung by a principal character. This song is
what the public will remember best when leaving the opera house. Properly
and well sung, a beautiful aria can bring an audience to its feet and decide the
fate of an entire opera.

It is also important to know the types of voices of singers. This will

serve as a guide for singers on their choice of songs and vocal quality
expected of a singer or opera character.

For the Male Voice:

1. Tenor- highest male voice.
2. Baritone- Middle male voice, lies between Bass and Tenor voices. It is
the common male voice.
3. Bass- lowest male voice.
For the Female Voice:
1. Soprano- highest female voice.
2. Coloratura-highest soprano voice
Dramatic- darker full sound
3. Mezzo-Soprano most common female voice; strong middle voice, tone
is darker or deeper than the soprano
4. Contralto- lowest female voice and most unique among female
 Composers like Verdi, Puccini and Wagner saw the opportunity to explore
ways to develop the vocal power of a singer. Greater range of tone color,
dynamics and pitch were employed.
 A Capella- one or more singers performing without instrumental
accompaniment.
 Cantabile- In a singing style
 Capo- Head, the beginning
 Coda -closing section appended to a movement or song.
 Dolce -sweetly
 Falsetto - a weaker and airier voice usually in the higher pitch arranges.
 Glissando - sliding quickly between 2 notes
 Passagio - parts of a singing voice where register transitions occur.
 Rubato - slight speeding up or slowing down of the tempo of a piece at the
discretion of the soloist.
 Tessitura - the most comfortable singing range of a singer.
 Vibrato - rapidly repeated slight pitch variation during a sustained note, to
give a richer & more varied sound.

Activity 1.
Directions: Compare the two vocal works by listening to the given link below
entitled, “Gretchen am Spinnrade” by F. Shubert, and “Mutya ng Pasig” by N.
Abelardo. Write their characteristics.
Link: https://youtu.be/9L4Tc-8scTw

Title Melody Rhythm Tone Quality Texture

“Gretchen am
Spinnrade” by
F. Shubert

Mutya ng
Pasig” by N.
Abelardo