Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
A light, often humorous opera with spoken dialogue and romantic plots, bridging opera and musical theatre.
A large-scale musical work for orchestra and voices, typically based on a sacred story and performed without staging. Oratorios are closely related to opera in style.
The process of assigning musical parts to instruments in an ensemble. Orchestration helps shape the sonic texture and emotional tone of a score.
An instrumental introduction to a musical or opera, presenting themes that will appear throughout the production. Overtures set mood and anticipation.
The transitional area in a singer’s vocal range where they shift between registers, particularly from chest to head voice. Mastery of the passaggio is crucial in classical singing.
An opera or musical work assembled from the music of various composers, often used to create new narratives from pre-existing music.
Rapid and rhythmic speech or singing, often used in comic opera roles or musical theatre for humorous effect.
A musical texture where multiple independent melodies are played simultaneously, enriching the harmonic landscape.
The leading female singer in an opera company, often playing the principal soprano role. The term also connotes a demanding or egotistical personality in rehearsal culture.
A musical number performed by five singers or characters, common in opera and ensemble moments in musicals.
The span between the lowest and highest notes a singer can perform. Vocal range is key to casting and repertoire in opera and musical theatre.
A style of vocal delivery in opera where the singer adopts the rhythms of ordinary speech. It advances plot between arias and provides narrative context.