The Colours of Music – Aria

From the series of 8 studies called The Colours of Music,  The Italian word aria translates as "song" or "melody".   In music "aria" refers to a vocal solo usually found within a larger piece most often in opera.  As I worked this piece I was hearing Carmen singing about love (" L'amour eat un oiseau rebelle" ). Da dum, dum, dum,  ( the marks along the bottom) - building to that lovely crescendo (the O) - against the background of the chorus.  In Greek aria means lioness.  Carmen is a perfect representation of this meaning too, proud and strong in spirit and voice.