Aria is an Italian word that means “air.” While aria now usually refers to a solo vocal piece with lyrical lines, there are a few variables that can be changed. In exceptional circumstances, an aria may be written for more than one voice. It can be a cappella or accompanied. It can be performed alone or as part of a larger work like an opera, oratorio, or cantata. It’s been used to describe an instrumental work that sounds like a vocal aria on occasion. It’s more commonly used to refer to a melody or tune.
Over time, the meaning of the word aria has changed. An aria could be a recitative in the seventeenth century, but the two styles separated as time passed. There were several distinct aria patterns:
• ABA’ or AA’BAA’ as a da capo aria
• from the title: AA’BA or AA’BA’
• AA’BA”A”A”A”A”A”A”A”A”A”A”A”A”A”A”A”A”A’
as well as a slew of other options
Many of the most famous arias were written for operas but are now popular in their own right. Ariosos by Giuseppe Verdi include “La donna e mobile” from Rigoletto and “Celeste Aida” from Aida. “O mio babbino caro” from Gianni Schicchi, as well as “Che gelida manina,” “Si, Mi Chiamano Mimi,” and “O Soave Fanciulla” from La Bohème, are considered to be some of Giacomo Puccini’s best arias. Many arias by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart are well-known, including his trouser’s role aria “Voi che sapete” from Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro). “Habanera” from Carmen is one of Georges Bizet’s most well-known arias. Also well-known is Gioachino Rossini’s aria “Una voce poco fà” from Il barbiere di Siviglia (in English, The Barber of Seville).
Tenors Luciano Pavaroti, José Carreras, Plácido Domingo, and Jussi Björling are known for their aria performances; sopranos Kiri Te Kanawa, Montserrat Caballé, Renata Tebadi, Dame Joan Sutherland, Leontyne Price, Kathleen Battle, and Kirsten Flagstad; mezzo sopranos Frederica von Stade, Grace Bumbry, Ceclia Bartoli, Marilyn