Which statement best describes opera seria?

• A. Focuses on tragic, historical subjects with multiple characters and 2-4 main protagonists.
• B. Focuses on humorous, light-hearted plots with a broad range of characters and spoken dialogue.
• C. Is typically performed with no arias and relies on recitative.
• D. Centers on a continuous bass accompaniment called continuo.

Answer: (A)

Opera seria centers on serious, often tragic plots drawn from history or myth, and typically focuses on a small group of leading characters—usually two to four—who drive the drama. The music emphasizes vocal virtuosity through arias that reveal characters’ emotions, with recitative used to move the storyline between arias. This combination—grave subject matter with a compact cast and prominent arias—shows why this description fits opera seria best. It contrasts with opera buffa, which is light-hearted and uses a broader cast with spoken dialogue, and with the idea that opera seria lacks arias or that continuo alone defines it, which aren’t accurate portrayals of the style.