Musical Terms and Concepts

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accompaniment

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instrumental music that helps the main melody sound more full

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aria

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a solo piece sung by one character as part of a larger work

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cantata

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a sacred piece of music that has instruments and a large number of voices singing each part

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carnival

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the period between Christmas and Mardi Gras in the European Catholic and Orthodox calendars

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descant

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a second melody sung above the main line

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madrigal

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a polyphonic piece of secular music that is written in the spoken language of the region

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Mardi Gras

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the first Tuesday in March for members of the Catholic and Orthodox faiths to indulge and spend in excess before 40 days of restraint

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motet

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a piece of sacred music with multiple melodies sung in Latin

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opera buffa

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a comedic opera with a funny storyline

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opera season

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the selection of operas that will be performed during a set year