This week I’m looking at the term ‘Cabaletta’.
Non mi dir (from Mozart’s Don Giovanni) is an example of a Cabaletta aria.
What is a Cabaletta?
It is a musical form used when composing solo operatic music. It typically consists of a slower section followed by a faster section.
Where did it come from?
The name derives from the Italian word ‘Cavallo’; or horse. This is because, in its early development in the mid 18th century, Cabalettas were typically dominated by strong repetitive rhythms that literally galloped the singer along.
Why do composers use it?
The traditional form for composing an aria is called ‘da capo’. That’s essentially one mood followed by a contrasting mood and then the first mood again with some embellishment.
There is not much room in this for character development.
While a Cabaletta is also in two halves, each half is at liberty to wander through as many moods as the composer best feels will represent the libretto. So a Cabaletta allows for greater character development.
You can hear this in Non mi dir which opens with slow music reflecting Donna Anna’s thoughts for the present, followed by a much faster concluding section reflecting her thoughts for the future.