Dramatic Music

Used in connection with the drama, whether spoken, sung, or simply acted (ballet, pantomime); distinguished from Chamber and Church music. Besides LYRIC DRAMA, OPERA, and the OVERTURE (q.v.), there are Entr' acte, or Between-Acts music, and Melo-dramatic music, designed to accompany spoken words or mere action. Ideally considered, the purpose of such music should be to heighten the effect of the play, keep the listeners in the mood excited by the progre of incident, prepare the mind gradually for what is to come by suggesting its temper, and to do this without demanding an undue share of attention. These aims are strikingly exemplified in Beethoven's Egmont music; Weber's Preciosa, and Mendel ohn's Midsummer Night's Dream.