Opera buffa:
- Comic in nature: Opera buffa was a comic form of opera, often incorporating elements of comedy, satire, and humor.
- Everyday lives: The subject matter of opera buffa tended to revolve around the daily lives and relationships of ordinary people, including servants, merchants, and peasants.
- Spoken dialogue: In addition to musical numbers, opera buffa featured spoken dialogue to advance the plot and develop the characters.
- Simpler music: The music in opera buffa was generally lighter and more straightforward compared to opera seria. It often incorporated folk melodies and dances.
- Use of recitative: Opera buffa commonly employed recitative, a style of singing that closely resembles speech, to deliver dialogue between musical numbers.
Opera seria:
- Serious in nature: Opera seria was a serious opera form that dealt with dramatic themes such as love, honor, revenge, and political intrigue.
- Mythological or historical subjects: The subject matter of opera seria was often derived from mythology, history, or classical literature, featuring gods, heroes, and rulers.
- Continuous music: Unlike opera buffa, opera seria did not include spoken dialogue but rather had continuous music throughout the entire opera.
- Complex music: The music in opera seria was more elaborate, complex, and virtuosic, showcasing the vocal skills of the singers.
- Use of da capo aria: The da capo aria, a three-part aria with a contrasting middle section, was a prominent feature in opera seria, allowing singers to display their vocal prowess.
In summary, opera buffa was a comic opera with spoken dialogue, simpler music, and everyday characters, while opera seria was a serious opera with continuous music, complex musical compositions, and dramatic themes drawn from mythology or history. These two styles coexisted during the 18th century and contributed to the diversity and richness of the operatic repertoire of the time.