Final answer:
Cantabiles are lyrical opera pieces characterized by smooth, stepwise melodies, often with fioratura ornamentation. They are typically solo pieces rather than chorus parts, and can be in either major or minor keys, contrary to being exclusively minor.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term Cantabile in the context of opera refers to a smooth, melodic, and lyrical style of singing that is designed to showcase the beauty of the voice. Here are some characteristics often associated with cantabiles in operas:
- They are generally composed in a flowing, stepwise manner, with smooth transitions between notes, making them graceful and easy on the ear.
- Cantabiles can be highly embellished with fioratura, a type of vocal ornamentation that involves rapid scales, trills, and other decorative notes, intended to demonstrate the agility and expressiveness of the singer's voice.
- Contrary to being often sung by the chorus, cantabiles are typically solo vocal pieces that spotlight an individual singer's talents.
- The key of a cantabile can vary. While some may be in a minor key, providing a somber or reflective mood, many are also composed in major keys that lend themselves to a brighter and more uplifting sound.
Renaissance music, from which opera evolved, displayed a variety of characteristics including modal harmony, richer textures, and an emphasis on blended musical strands and smooth progression of chords, setting the stage for the emotive cantabile style in later periods.