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aria

/ˈɑriə/
/ˈɑriə/
IPA guide

Other forms: arias

An aria is an elaborate song written specifically for a solo voice. If you find yourself belting out "Che gelida manina" from La Boheme in the shower, you’ve just been performing an aria.

The word aria comes from the Italian and means "air." The word is often used to describe songs from operas. Two famous ones include “L’amour est un oiseau rebelle” — "Love is a rebellious bird" — and “O mio babbino caro” — "Oh my dear Papa!" It is sometimes used almost metaphorically to describe someone’s impressive solo performance of any type. Arias within opera, and classical music in general, are almost always accompanied by instrumental music, but there is only one voice.

Definitions of aria
  1. noun
    an elaborate song for solo voice
    see moresee less
    types:
    arietta, short aria
    a short aria
    type of:
    song, vocal
    a short musical composition with words
Pronunciation
US
/ˈɑriə/
UK
/ˈɑriə/
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