Meaning of Da Capo Aria in Music
A da capo aria is a vocal form commonly found in Baroque opera and cantata. It is characterized by an ABA structure, where the A section is followed by a contrasting B section and then a return to the complete A section. The term "da capo" means "from the head" or "from the top," indicating the return to the beginning of the piece. The da capo aria was a popular form of composition, particularly in the Baroque period.
The A section of a da capo aria is typically in the tonic key, while the B section often shifts to a minor key and has a more reflective mood. When the A section is repeated, the singer would often demonstrate their vocal virtuosity by improvising and ornamenting the melodic line. This could include trills, acciaccaturas, mordents, appoggiaturas, runs, and jumps, showcasing the singer's skill and adding embellishments to the music.
The da capo aria fell out of fashion in the classical era as the focus shifted from the virtuosity of the performer to the beauty of the music. Singers began to perform what was written, with ornaments being specified by the composer rather than chosen by the singer.
Famous examples of da capo arias include Handel's oratorio Messiah, which includes the well-known da capo arias "He Was Despised" and "The Trumpet Shall Sound," and J.S. Bach's cantata Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, which begins with a flamboyant da capo aria for soprano, trumpet soloist, and strings.
In summary, a da capo aria is a vocal form in ternary structure (ABA) commonly found in Baroque opera and cantata. It features a return to the beginning of the piece after a contrasting section, allowing the singer to showcase their vocal virtuosity through improvisation and ornamentation.
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