Da Capo Aria: Structure, Ornamentation, and Examples

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 📜 Da Capo Aria means "from the head" in Italian.
• 🎼 The structure is typically A-B-A.
• 🎭 Section A: The main theme is presented.
• 🎶 Section B: Contrasting material is introduced (different key, tempo, or mood).
• ↩️ Da Capo: After Section B, the singer returns to the beginning (Section A) and repeats it.
• 💎 Ornamentation: Singers often add embellishments during the repeat of Section A to showcase their virtuosity.
• 🎻 Common in Baroque opera and oratorio.

Practice Quiz

1. What does "Da Capo" mean in Italian?
1. Always
2. From the head
3. With feeling
4. At the end
2. What is the typical structure of a Da Capo Aria?
1. A-B-C
2. A-A-B
3. A-B-A
4. B-A-B
3. In a Da Capo Aria, what happens after Section B?
1. The aria ends.
2. The singer improvises a new section.
3. The singer returns to the beginning (Section A).
4. The orchestra plays an interlude.
4. What is a common practice during the repeat of Section A in a Da Capo Aria?
1. Singing the section exactly as it was originally.
2. Adding ornamentation and embellishments.
3. Omitting the section entirely.
4. Singing the section in a different language.
5. During which musical period were Da Capo Arias most common?
1. Classical
2. Romantic
3. Baroque
4. Modern
6. What is the purpose of Section B in a Da Capo Aria?
1. To repeat the main theme.
2. To introduce contrasting material.
3. To provide a break for the singer.
4. To feature the orchestra.
7. Which musical form is MOST closely related to the Da Capo aria?
1. Fugue
2. Sonata
3. Concerto
4. Ritornello