Question

In the aria known as "Dido's Lament," a(n) ______ ______ scale helps to convey a sense of tragedy, sadness, pain, and impending death, further illustrated by the direction of the scale's motion.

a. Descending Chromatic
b. Ascending Major
c. Augmented Whole-Tone
d. Harmonic Minor

Answer 1

In 'Dido's Lament,' a descending chromatic scale is used to convey tragedy and sorrow, mirroring the titular character's descent into despair.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the aria known as "Dido's Lament" from Henry Purcell's opera "Dido and Aeneas", a descending chromatic scale is employed to evoke a profound sense of sorrow, loss, and doom. This musical feature significantly contributes to the overall tragic atmosphere of the piece.

As the lament unfolds, the slow and systematic descent of the scale parallels Dido's own descent into despair and ultimately, death. This kind of musical storytelling is analogous to cinematic techniques where dissonant or minor key music can indicate impending danger or deep emotional distress for a character.