aria
A self-contained song for a solo voice, typically in an opera or oratorio.
In Depth
An aria is a showcase for a solo singer, typically within an opera, oratorio, or cantata. Unlike recitative, which advances the plot through speech-like singing, an aria pauses the action to explore a character's emotions in depth. Most arias follow a structured musical form with orchestral accompaniment.
The da capo aria, with its ABA structure, dominated Baroque opera. By the Classical and Romantic periods, arias became more through-composed and dramatically integrated. Famous examples include Nessun dorma from Puccini's Turandot and the Queen of the Night aria from Mozart's The Magic Flute.
The Queen of the Night aria from The Magic Flute requires the soprano to hit a high F6 — so high that some scientists have studied whether the note is physically felt as much as heard.