Aria is a musical term originally used to describe any expressive melody for voice. Today, the same term describes a musical composition for solo voice and orchestra and is found in operatic works.

Baroque music is the music that is part of the general artistic style called Baroque and was first developed in Italy during the 17th century and spread throughout Europe.

Western European musical production, spanning a fairly long period of time, roughly from the year 470 AD.

The concept of classical music refers to a “higher form of musical composition”, which has more serious purposes, beyond entertainment.

The etymology of the word in Latin: classicus = something exceptional, is a term linked through various definitions to Greek and Latin antiquity, as “conformity of style or composition to the standards of Greek and Latin antiquity” (Oxford English Dictionary ). These definitions were carried over to music to make the distinction between “fine music” from traditional and popular music.

Read more in our article on Classical music here.

Counterpoint is the simultaneous continuation of several different melodies, which are combined according to a strict program of rules, usually different from era to era.

Libretto is the poetic text of an opera, which is performed as a chant by the lyric singers/actors, while in some genres spoken dialogues are also used. The libretto of an opera may contain direction and set design instructions, especially in works from the late 19th century onwards (mainly during the period of realism-naturalism, following the literary standards of the time). The author of a libretto is correspondingly called a librettist.

Lyric singers are the opera singers, (Soloists) who have systematically trained to acquire the appropriate technique and knowledge required to sing in a Lyric Theatre (Opera house).

Monophony or monophonic music characterizes any musical genre that is based on a single melodic line, which even if played or sung by more than one performer, is reproduced by all simultaneously and identically.

Opera (Italian: opera, literally “a work, labor, composition,” from Latin: opera = work, effort), is a complex musical theater genre, i.e. a genre that simultaneously includes music and stage action.

The dialogues and monologues of the actors of the opera (Lyric singers) are rendered in the form of song, while the theatrical performance unfolds in the presence of a musical ensemble (orchestra) as well as scenery.

Read our article on Classical music here.

Polyphony, or polyphonic music, characterizes any musical genre that is based on many melodic lines, which are appropriately intertwined forming a polylinear texture.

Quartet (Italian: quartetto) is a musical ensemble consisting of four players of stringed instruments (usually two violins, a viola and a cello). It is considered a fundamental ensemble for chamber music because it consists of instruments of the same category and has a large tonal range. It is an important performance medium for composers after 1750.

Solo (Italian: solo = alone), a term that is used multiple times either in orchestral works, in the use of an instrument, or in choral works.

Soloist (French: soliste, Italian: solista) is the performer of a musical instrument or a singer, who performs a musical piece alone (unaccompanied by other instruments, e.g. pianist), or is accompanied by other instruments, (piano, small ensemble, orchestra) performing the main melody, or in a musical play in which he has a leading role.

Strings are wooden stringed musical instruments of the classical orchestra of treble pitch, played with a horsehair bow. This group includes the violin, viola, cello and double bass.