Da Capo Aria

Da Capo Aria

The simplest way to describe this is an Aria (solo song from and opera or oratorio) in ternary form.

Ternary form means the song is made from 2 contrasting sections; section A and section B. What makes it ternary is when the A section is repeated, which happens after B.

ABA.

The difference with this specific type of aria, is that:

• It comes from the Baroque era (featuring basso continuo, baroque instruments, ritornello)
• The repeat of the A section is fancier than the first time the singer sang it.

"Da Capo" is an Italian musical term meaning "the top". The singer is instructed to go back to the top of the piece, repeat section A and in doing so, embellish the melody with melisma and ornamentation.

Video example: Da Capo Aria from an Oratorio - this video highlights each section, including the ritornello, for you to see how a da capo aria is built up. Notice how when the first section comes back the singer starts to mess around a bit with ornaments and melisma.

Another example, a faster piece, again from an oratorio. This one demonstrates a clear section A, contrasting with section B which is in a minor key and takes on a different emotion altogether, then you hear the triumphant return of section A ("rejoice, rejoice, rejoice greatly!") this time with the singer going daft with melisma, arpeggios, ornaments and just generally enjoying herself.