aria

¹

[ ahr-ee-uh, air-ee-uh ]

noun

1. an air or melody.
2. an elaborate melody sung solo with accompaniment, as in an opera or oratorio.

Aria

²

[ ahr-ee-uh, uh-rahy-uh ]

noun

, Classical Mythology.

1. a nymph, the mother of Miletus, by Apollo.

-aria

³

1. a suffix occurring in scientific terms of Latin origin, especially in names of biological genera and groups:

   filaria.

aria

/ ˈɑːrɪə /

noun

1. an elaborate accompanied song for solo voice from a cantata, opera, or oratorio See also da capo

aria

1. A piece of music for one voice (or occasionally two voices) in an opera , oratorio , or cantata . In contrast with recitative singing, arias are melodious; in contrast with ordinary songs, arias are usually elaborate.

Notes

Some composers, such as Richard Wagner , have felt that arias interrupt the action of opera too much and hence have written operas without them.

Word History and Origins

Origin of aria¹

From Italian, dating back to 1735–45; air ¹

Origin of aria²

< Latin: feminine singular or neuter plural of -ārius -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of aria¹

C18: from Italian: tune, air

Example Sentences

Other than a couple of good tunes and a single popular aria, this vapid setting of Shakespeare’s play makes it one of the least notable works in the standard operatic repertory and the least worthy “Romeo and Juliet” adaptation I know, Baz Luhrmann’s “Romeo + Juliet” included.

From Los Angeles Times

Composer jokes included an arresting scene of this Don writing an aria worthy of PDQ Bach.

From Los Angeles Times

When the personification of Mandrex asks her why she’s allowing him to make a film about the end of her life, Maria tells him that she wants an aria as part of her third act.

From Salon

The film may lull periodically, but all else fades away when the prima donna takes center stage for her aria.

From Salon

In this version, Callas sings this aria while telling her maid that she has just seen the appearance of a ghost near a fountain.

From Salon