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lirica

opera

noun LEE-ree-kah Rare
Arts & Culture Music

Origin: From Greek lyrikos (of the lyre), via Latin lyricus.

Also means

lyric poetry

Usage Note

Lirica in modern Italian primarily means opera or operatic singing — cantante lirica (opera singer), teatro di lirica (opera house). In literary contexts it means lyric poetry as a genre. The adjective form lirico can describe both. Do not confuse with musica leggera (pop music) — lirica sits firmly in the classical, operatic tradition that Italy is famous for.

Examples

"Ha studiato canto lirico al conservatorio."

Natural Translation

She studied operatic singing at the conservatory.

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