aria – Definition in music

Definition of the Italian term aria in music:

aria (song for a solo voice, often with instrumental accompaniment and part of a larger work such as an opera)
air (instrumental piece in a melodic style inspired by vocal music)

Language

Italian

Singular

aria

Plural

arie

Italian musical terms that include aria:

aria aggiunta – supplementary aria (aria added to a work after the...
aria buffa – comic aria (in opera)
aria cantabile – aria in a lyrical and singing style
aria concertata – aria with orchestral accompaniment
aria da capo – da capo aria (aria in ABA form)
aria dal segno – dal segno aria (aria developed on the basis of the...
aria di bravura – virtuoso aria (fast and virtuosic aria designed to...
aria di cantabile – aria in a slow, embellished and melodious style
aria di chiesa – church aria
aria di sortita – entrance aria
aria napoletana – Neapolitan song (traditional form of song in the N...
aria parlante – aria in a declamatory melodic style
aria veneziana – aria (song for a solo voice, often with instrument...
campana in aria – bell in the air (instruction to raise the bell of ...
mezza aria – half the power
organo ad aria aspirata – suction reed organ
organo ad aria compressa – harmonium
padiglione in aria – bell in the air (instruction to raise the bell of ...

Music scores that include aria:

Claudio Monteverdi: L'Incoronazione di Poppea (1642) Page 6
George Frideric Handel: Messiah (1741) Page 2
Johann Sebastian Bach: Goldberg Variations (1741) Page 1

Italian musical terms related to aria:

arietta – short and less complex aria (often sung by a secon...
cabaletta – simple aria with a repetitive rhythm‚...
lamento – lament, moan...
preghiera – prayer...
rondò – rondo (musical form containing a principal theme w...