Drama Glossary
Key theatre terms and definitions including related shows.
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.
A repeated line or group of lines in a song or poem, often reinforcing a theme or emotional tone. Refrains are common in musical theatre and opera.
The repetition of a song or theme earlier introduced in a musical, usually to reflect character change or emphasize emotional development.
A musical or dramatic work honoring the dead, often evoking mourning or closure in operatic and theatrical contexts.
The written music for a theatrical or operatic work, including vocal and instrumental parts. The score is essential for rehearsals and performances.
A musical performance typically expressing love or admiration, used in both opera and musical theatre.