[mb-style] [clean up CSG] Structural concept

[Jim DeLaHunt]

Brian Schweitzer wrote:
> 
>> Ok, my suggestion was not clear enough. What about operas, masses,
>> cantantas, ballets...? Would the word "Movement" be really appropriate?
> 
> In masses and ballets, I'd think so - at least I've seen it used that way
> with regards to those.  I'm not sure what term would otherwise be used for
> opera and cantantas.  (While we're there anyhow, does anyone know if
> there's a term for the collective numbered songs within operas?)
> 

I believe the term is "number", as in, "we'll rehearse two numbers tonight,
the Act II chorus and the sextet". 

In some opera scores I've seen, each aria, chorus, cavatina, etc. starts
with a complete break in the score, and a number + title centred on the
page. Frequently there is a break to the top of the next page. For instance,
my Kalmus "Die Fledermaus" piano-vocal score has section titles "Overture",
"No. 1 Introduction", "No. 1a", "No. 2 Terzett", etc. 

Wikipedia says, "The term is applied also to sections of large vocal works
(such as opera, oratorio, or musical) when the written or printed score for
such a work designates the titles of the pieces with sequential
numbers....". <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Number_%28music%29>.

Usage examples: "The continuous sequence of linked numbers...", "Italian
opera in the nineteenth century remained a 'number opera'...."
<http://members.tripod.com/~dorakmt/music/opera.html>  Or, "...the results
were essentially ‘number operas,’ in which musical sections were clearly
delineated and distinctively rendered."
<http://www.didaskalia.net/issues/vol6no3/simpson_ferrario.html>


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     -- http://jdlh.com/ Jim DeLaHunt , Vancouver, Canada  • 
http://wiki.musicbrainz.org/JimDeLaHunt

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