Opera Incipits

This appendix is an index of first lines of arias, duets and other ensembles and choruses, designed to enable the user to look up the opening words of any item from an opera and find its source.

Each entry gives the singer (or singers, for an ensemble), the short title of the opera, the act (if an opera with scene numbers but not acts, the number is in small roman type) and the composer; opera titles and composers are hyperlinked to their article on Grove Music Online when available. The arrangement is strictly alphabetical, including the definite or indefinite article and disregarding any punctuation. For arias (or duets etc.) comprising more than one section, first lines may be given of later sections (such as cabalettas) where these are familiar; so may the first lines of introductory recitatives. Numbers known by titles (Bell Song, Anvil Chorus) are also included, usually as cross-references.