prolong a note in opera
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to prolong a note while singing; to draw out a syllable in opera
A specialized technique in Chinese opera (xiqu) where the pronunciation of a specific character is sustained and lengthened for expressive or stylistic purposes. The character being prolonged is often written in small print with an extended line or specific notation in the score.
Jīng京
jù剧
yǎn演
yuán员
zài在
zhè这
ge个
zì字
shàng上
tuō拖
qiāng腔
，
xiǎn显
de得
gé格
wài外
yǒu有
yùn韵
wèi味
。
The Peking opera actor prolonged the note on this character, making it particularly charming.
Tuō拖
qiāng腔
shì是
xì戏
qǔ曲
yǎn演
chàng唱
zhōng中
cháng常
yòng用
de的
jì技
qiǎo巧
。
Drawing out syllables is a common technique in traditional opera singing.
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Tā她
tuō拖
qiāng腔
tuō拖
de得
tài太
cháng长
le了
，
xiǎn显
de得
yǒu有
xiē些
zuò做
zuo作
。
She held the note for too long, appearing somewhat affected.