Dictionary

“La Boheme”: An opera written by Giacomo Puccini based on Scenes de la vie de Boheme by Henri Murger.

“La Traviata”: An opera written by Giuseppe Verdi based on the novel La dame aux Camelias by Alexandre Dumas.

libretto: The text or lyrics of any opera or musical.

machine opera: Style of opera from the 1600s with smaller sets and compact scores.

“Madame Butterfly”: An opera written by Giacomo Puccini that is set in Japan.

Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus: Austrian-born composer whose most famous works include “The Marriage of Figaro” (1786), “Don Giovanni” (1787) and “The Magic Flute” (1791).

Mussorgsky, Modest: An innovator of Russian music who composed several operas and symphonies, including “Boris Godunov.”

music drama: An alternative term for opera or intense musicals.

opera: A form of musical and dramatic work in which singers convey the drama.

opera house: A theater building used for opera performances that consists of a stage, orchestra pit, audience seating and backstage facilities for costumes and set building.

operetta: Shorter, lighter opera usually based on a romantic theme, often with some spoken scenes.

oratorio: A large musical composition including an orchestra, choir and soloists.