1910–1911
Britannica 11th
Encyclopaedia Britannica · 11th edition
ARIA (Ital. for " air "), a musical term, equivalent to the English " air," signifying a melody apart from the harmony, but especially a musical composition for a single voice or instrument, with an accompaniment of other voices or instruments. The aria originally developed from the expansion of a single vocal melody, generally on the lines of what is known as binary form (see SONATA and SONATA FORMS). Accordingly, while the germs of aria form may be traceable in the highest developments of folk-song, the aria as a…
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- Vol. 2, pp. 489-490