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MUSIC
Learning Activity Sheet
Quarter 4 –MELC 1
Explaining the Plot, Musical and Theatrical
Elements of an Opera

REGION VI – WESTERN VISAYAS

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MUSIC GRADE 9
Quarter 4
Learning Activity Sheet No. 1 – Explaining the Plot, Musical and Theatrical Elements of
an Opera
First Edition, 2021

Published in the Philippines

By the Department of Education
Region 6 – Western Visayas

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Development Team of Music 9 Learning Activity Sheet

Writer: DONAH JEDIDIAH MAE G. SAYO

Illustrator: ELDIARDO E. DELA PEÑA

Layout Artist: JEISHA L. CONTIGA

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 Learning Activity Sheets (LAS)
Name of Learner: _____________________ Grade and Section: _____________
Date: ___________________

MUSIC 9 LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET NO. 1

Explaining the Plot, Musical and Theatrical Elements of an Opera

I. Learning Competency with Code

Explains the plot, musical and theatrical elements of an opera after watching
video samples (MU9OP-Iva-g-1)

II. Background Information for Learners

What is Opera?
Opera is a theatrical drama or comedy told in music through powerful, unamplified
voices. Opera combines several art forms – vocal and instrumental music, theater,
drama, visual art and often dance – into one complete theatrical experience. When
successfully produced, an opera’s directing, singing, acting, stage setting, lighting,
conducting and orchestral playing will create an unforgettable spectacle that can
move audiences to tears or elation – or both. This powerful appeal made opera the
most prestigious and lucrative genre for composers to write in for more than two
hundred years. The most famous operas performed today come from the period
between the composers George Frideric Handel (whose first opera was written
around 1705) and Richard Strauss (whose final opera was premiered in 1942).
Opera continues to be a prestigious and popular genre for composers to write in and
many new operas were performed every year.
The Basic Elements of an Opera

SINGING is the primary Method of Expression in Opera.

The most defining aspect of an opera is that the majority of lines are sung instead of
spoken. The characters express their thoughts and feelings in song rather than
speech. Because it usually takes longer to sing something than to say it, however,
the action may sometimes seem slower than in a play. Occasionally even in an
opera, characters may speak rather than sing, but the vast majority of lines are sung.

OPERA COMBINES MANY DIFFERENT ART FORMS

Much of the excitement of an opera comes from its use of multiple art forms. Opera
combines singing, acting, orchestral music, poetry, dance, mime, theatrical scenery,

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costumes and lighting in a unique art form all its own. The word opera itself is an
Italian word derived from the Latin word opus, which means work (as in work of art).

AN OPERA TELLS A STORY

As in a play, opera is performed in a stage with a scenery, props and lighting, by
actors wearing costumes, make-ups and wigs to create a specific character, time
and place. While the actors sing their lines they are accompanied by a piano, small
instrument ensemble or even a full orchestra that may be either to the side of the
stage or beneath the stage in the orchestra “pit”. Opera stories comes from different
sources: mythology, The Bible, fairy tales, literary classics and history. Operas may
be about the mythological gods, historic heroes, royalty or ordinary people from the
past or present. The word sung in an opera are written down in a libretto (Italian for
“little book”). The libretto is sometimes sung in a language other than English,
depending on the nationality of the composer and librettist (the author of libretto).
A synopsis, which is a summary of what happens in the story, maybe read before
attending an opera. The libretto and synopsis of most famous operas can be found in
libraries; recording in compact disc and DVD are also available. A synopsis is also
usually provided in the printed program at a live performance; English translation for
character’s line are often projected on a screen over the stage so that the audience
can easily follow the story.

THE MUSIC OF AN OPERA REFLECTS THE MOOD AND EVENTS IN THE

STORY
The addition of music to telling the story tends to greatly increase the emotional
intensity of a performance. Even if you cannot understand the words being sung, the
music provides many clues. It reflects a character’s feeling; it hints at a turn in the
plot; it may even describe an event (a storm, for example). If something sad or
frightening is about to happen, you may hear a warning in the music before the
action takes place.
AN OPERA IS STRUCTURED LIKE A PLAY
Most operas begin with an overture, which is an introductory piece of instrumental
music that often presents musical themes heard in the opera. As in a play, an opera
is divided into one or more acts and various scenes that contain a mixture of arias
(one singer), duets (two singer), ensembles (more than two singers, such as trios,
quartets, etc.), and scenes with a chorus and sung dialogues called recitative.

THE CREATIVE TEAM

Many people work together to create an opera production. Members of the creative
team includes the singers, the conductor, the stage director and the stage designer
(sets, lighting, costumes, wig and make-up). These careers often involve many years
of study and hard work to master.

THE CONDUCTOR
The conductor communicates information about the music and the timing of the
show to the singers on the stage and to the orchestra through the gestures he/she

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makes often using a baton. The conductor is usually addressed using the Italian term
as “maestro” or “maestra”.

THE STAGE DIRECTOR

An operatic stage director faces all the challenges of the theatrical stage director,
plus a few special concerns. The opera must be staged to obtain the greatest
emotional effect by moving the singers about with a natural flow that enhances the
meaning of the story without interfering with the music. The composer has built a
framework within which the stage director must work.

THE DESIGNERS
Every element the audience sees on stage (the sets, costumes, light, wigs and
make-ups) requires a person with a special skill to plan and implement how that
element is going to enhance the story of the opera. Sets designers create sets that
transport the audience from different time and place. And that remains light enough
to move around during scene change and small enough to store in the theater’s
wings (space off to the side on the stage, out of the audience view). Costumes
designers must make it characters unique through what they wear. Lighting
designers take a theater that is normally completely dark use electric light and colors
to create different settings (night vs. day) and moods to draw the audience
attentions.

III. Accompanying DepEd Textbook and Educational Sites

Learner’s Material for Music and Arts – Grade 9
From www.toledoopera.org

IV. Activity Proper

Activity 1: Compare It!

The following videos are some of the Romantic Period operas. Watch the
following and compare the videos by answering following the guide questions
below. Take note of the important details about the plot, the characters, musical
and theatrical elements present in the videos. You can acquire the videos at your
respected subject teacher or watch it online with these following link:
 https://youtube.com/watch?v=zTDMvyj4TFg&feature
 https://youtube.com/watch?v=lYrbdiee9SU&feature

Guide Questions:
1. What is the plot of the opera?
2. How did the actors use their volume, tempo and vocal quality?
3. Were the emotions true to the characters?
4. Was the music helpful to you while watching the video?
5. Were the costumes and make-ups true to the setting and characters?
6. What was your overall opinion of the opera?
7. Which video do you prefer? Why?

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V. REFLECTION
You have learned that one of the elements of an opera is that singing is the primary
method of expression. Lines are being sung by the characters rather than spoken. Is
it possible for trained opera singers to perform in the same way as the modern
musical play singers? Yes or No? Why?
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VI. ANSWER KEY

ACTIVITY 1:
Answers may vary.