Sounds of Learning - Madama Butterfly

act (akt) n. one of the main divisions of a play or opera.
ad nauseam (ad nawz-zi-u¡m) n. to a sickening or disgusting extent.
allegro (a¡-leg-roh) adv. musical term for fast and lively.
alma mater (al-ma¡ mah-ter) n. a title used in reference to one's university, college or school.
alter ego (ôl-ter-e¯-go¯ ) n. one's other self, an intimate friend.
alto (al-toh) n. the range of the female voice between mezzo-soprano and contralto.
andante (ahn-dahn-tay) adv. a musical term meaning in moderately slow time.
ardent (är-dènt) adj. expressing or characterized by warmth of passion or desire.
aria (ahr-i-a¡) n. an operatic song for one voice.

bar (bahr) n. a division of music containing a set number of beats.
baritone (bar-i-tohn) the range of the male voice between tenor and bass.
bass (ba¯ s) n. the lowest male singing voice.
beat (beet) n. the basic pulse of a piece of music.
bona fide (boh-na¢ fi¯d) genuine, without fraud; in good faith.

capacious (k0-p¯a-sh0s) adj. containing or capable of containing a great deal.
caveat emptor (kav-ee-at emp-tor) "let the buyer beware," the legal maxim that the buyer buys at his own risk.
chord (kord) n. a group of notes played at the same time in harmony.
chorus (kor-u¢s) n. 1. a group of singers. 2. a piece of music for these.
concerto (kon-chehr-toh) n. a musical composition for one or more solo instruments and an orchestra.
confound (k0n-faø nd) v. to bring to ruin.
consul (k0 n-s0l) n. an official appointed by a government to reside in a foreign country to represent the commercial
interests of citizens of the appointing country.
creed (krŒ d) n. a guiding principle.
desolate (d0 -s0-l0t) adj. showing the effects of abandonment and neglect.
disillusion (di-s0-lü-zh0n) v. to leave without illusion or naive faith and trust.
duet (doo-eht) n. a musical composition for two performers.
et al. (et al) and others (abbr. for et alii = and other people, et alia = and other things.)
ex officio (eks-o-fish-i-oh) by virtue of office or because of one's position.
farce (färs) n. ridiculous or empty show.
flat (flat) adj. a half-step lower than the corresponding note or key of natural pitch.
forte (for-tay) adv. loudly.
fortify (fÁr-t0-fi¯) v. to give physical strength, courage, or endurance to.
fortissimo (for-tis-i-moh) adv. a musical term for very loud.
geisha (g¯a-sh0) n. a Japanese girl or woman who is trained to provide entertainment and company for men.
hara-kiri (har-i-kar-Œ ) n. ritual suicide practiced by the Japanese samurai.
hawser (hæ -z0r) n. a large rope for towing, mooring, or securing a ship.
illusion (i-lü-zh0n) n. perception of something existing in such a way as to cause misinterpretation of its actual nature.
immobile (i-mÁ-b0l) adj. incapable of being moved.
infatuate (in-fa-ch0-w0t) adj. to inspire with a foolish or extravagant love or admiration.
in extremis (in ik-stree-mis) at the point of death; in very great difficulties.
in loco parentis (in loh-koh pu¢h-ren-tis) in the place or role of a parent.
in vitro (in vee-troh) artificially maintained in a controlled environment, e.g. maintained in a test tube or laboratory.
key (kee) n. the basic note of the main scale used in a piece of music. In the key of G, for example, G is the fundamental
note; the music often returns to it and comes to rest on it.
kimono (k0-mÁ-nÁ) n. a long robe traditionally worn with a broad sash as an outer garment by the Japanese.
languish (lan-gwish) v. to be or live in a state of depression or decreasing vitality.
largo (lahr-goh) adv. a musical term meaning in slow time and dignified style.
libretto (li-bret-oh) n. the words of an opera or other long musical.
major (may-jor) adj. music in a major key uses a major scale, in which the first three notes are the key note followed by
intervals of a tone and then another tone (for example, C, D, E). It often has a cheerful, strong sound.
maneuver (m0-nü-v0r) v. to make a series of changes in direction and position for a specific purpose.
minor (mi¯-nor) adj. music in a minor key uses a minor scale, in which the first three notes are the key note followed by
intervals of a tone and then a semitone ( for example A, B, C). It often has a sad, melancholic sound.
modus operandi (moh-du¢s op-e¢-ran-di¯) n. a person's method of working; a procedure.
movement (moov-ment) n. a self-contained section of a music composition.
natural (nach-u¢-ra¢l) adj. a note that is neither flattened nor sharpened.
nuptial (n0 p-ch0-w0l) adj. of or relating to marriage or the marriage ceremony.
obi (Á-bŒ ) n. a broad sash worn especially with a Japanese kimono.
obstinate (äb-st0-n0t) adj. perversely adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course in spite of reason, arguments, or
persuasion.
octave (ok-tiv) n. a note that sounds twice as high in pitch as another, is an octave above the other note, and has the same
letter naming it.
ornithology (æ r-n0-thä-l0-jŒ ) n. a branch of zoology dealing with birds.
nota bene (noh-ta¢ bee-nee, bay-nay) observe what follows; note well.
overture (oh-ve¢r-chu¢r) n. an orchestral composition forming a prelude to an opera or ballet.
opera (op-e¢-ra¢) n. a play in which the words are sung to musical accompaniment.
opera buffa (op-e¢-ra¢ boof-a¢) n. comic opera.
opera seria (op-e¢-ra¢ seer-i-a¢) n. opera with dramatic and intense plots.
opus (oh-pu¢s) n. a musical composition numbered as one of a composer's works (usually in order of publication).
orchestra (or-ki-stra¢) n. a body of people playing various musical instruments, including stringed and wind instruments.
palanquin (p0-lan-kw0n) n. a conveyance used usually for one person that is carried on the shoulders of men by means
of poles.
per diem (pe¢r dee-u¢m) for each day; daily allowance for expenses.
per se (pe¢r say) by or in itself; intrinsically; belonging to the basic nature of a person or thing.
persona non grata (pe¢r-soh-na¢ non grah-ta¢) a person who is unacceptable or unwelcome.
pessimistic (p†-s0-mis-tik) adj. of, relating to, or characterized by an inclination to expect the worst possible outcome.
pianissimo (pi-a¢-nis-i-moh) adv. a musical term meaning very softly.
piano (pi-an-oh) 1. adv. a musical term meaning softly. 2. n. keyed percussion instrument first named pianoforte because
it could play both softly and loudly.
plight (pli¯t) v. to put or give in pledge.
portal (pæ r-tl) n. a grand or imposing door or entrance.
presto (pres-toh) adv. a musical term meaning very fast.
quid pro quo (kwid proh kwoh) n. something for something; a thing given in return for something.
rallentando (rall) (ra¢l-len-ta¢n-do¯) adv. a musical direction term meaning getting slower.
recitative (rech-i-ta¢-teev) n. a narrative or conversational part of an opera, sung in a rhythm imitating that of ordinary
speech.
repudiation (ri-pyü-dŒ -¯a-sh0n) n. the refusal of public authorities to acknowledge or pay a debt.
respite (res-p0t) n. an interval of rest or relief.
scale (skayl) n. a series of notes arranged in descending or ascending order of pitch.
scrutinize (skrü-tn-i¯z) v. to examine closely and minutely.
semitone (sem-i-tohn) n. a half step or half tone, an interval midway between two whole tones.
sharp (shahrp) n. any note a semitone higher than another note. Also, slightly too high in pitch.
shoji (shÁ-jŒ ) n. a paper screen serving as a wall, partition, or sliding door.
sine qua non (si¯-nee kway non) without which there is nothing; an indespensible condition or qualification.
sonata (so-nah-ta¢) n. a musical composition for one instrument or two, usually with three or four movements.
soprano (so-prah-noh) n. the highest female or boy's singing voice.
squall (skwæ l) n. a sudden violent wind.
status quo (stay-tu¢s kwoh, stat-tu¢s) the state of affairs as it is or as it was before a change.
strew (strü) v. to spread by scattering.
summit (s0 -m0t) n. the topmost level attainable.
symphony (sim-foh-nee) n. a long elaborate musical composition (usually in several parts) for a full orchestra.
tact (takt) n. a keen sense of what to do or say in order to maintain good relations with others or avoid offense.
taper (t¯a-p0r) n. a slender candle.
tempus fugit (tem-pus fyoo-jit) time flies.
tenor (ten-or) n. the highest adult male singing voice.
terra firma (ter-a¢ fur-ma¢) solid ground, dry land.
tone (tohn) n. 1. an interval equal to two semitones. 2. the sound quality of an instrument or voice.
tresses (tres-0s) n. the long unbound hair of a woman.
troth (trÁth) n. loyal or pledged faithfulness.
verbena (v0r-bŒ -n0) n. any of numerous garden plants widely grown for their showy spikes of white, pink, red, or
blue flowers.
verge (v0 rj) n. an outer margin that borders, limits, or bounds.
verismo (ver-iz-mo¯) n. realism in opera..
vindicate (vin-d0-k¯at) v. to free from allegation or blame.
yen (yen) n. a Japanese denomination of money.

RELEVANT LINKS:

http://patriciagray.net/operahtmls/terms.html
Opera terms