Joseph Tein Aug 7, 2014:

I agree That's why I said "basta già" at the end of my last comment. Buon lavoro a tutti!

Joel Schaefer Aug 7, 2014:

beating a dead horse I am tired of this discussion.

Joseph Tein Aug 7, 2014:

Another example This is from the New Orleans Children's Chorus web site:

"The NOCC choirs are the Concert Chorus, Lyric Chorus, Youth Chorale and NOCC Northlake. The Lyric Chorus and NOCC Northlake have also toured North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Kansas."

This Lyric Chorus is not an operatic chorus (in the sense of just singing for opera productions).

If our Italian source had wanted to say "opera chorus" I think they would have said "coro dell'opera." One example from an online description of an Aida recording: "Giuseppe Verdi: Aida - Coro Dell'Opera Di Roma, Orchestra Dell'Opera Di Roma, Jonel Perlea"

And this Coro Lirico di Craiova e Brasov is obviously a stand-alone chorus, not tied to an opera production. See the announcement of their performance: " La Filarmonica Statale Russa e il coro lirico di Craiova e Brasov si esibiranno domani alle 21 in Piazza Duomo ad Amalfi, sulla spettacolare scalinata della Cattedrale di S... "

Basta già.

Shabelula Aug 6, 2014:

I was also taught that choir refers to religious or church singings.

Joseph Tein Aug 6, 2014:

More on opera choruses "In opera there is often a large chorus, as well as key characters. The stories are told through solos, duets, ensembles and chorus work. "

"If there’s one thing more powerful than a deep baritone or stunning soprano voice in full flight, it’s when dozens of voices combine to sing together in perfect harmony. An operatic chorus can raise the roof – and opera composers use them to great effect."

Also see this site for a description of a lyric chorus that is different from an operatic chorus: www.smc.edu/AcademicAffairs/Emeritus/Documents/Lyric Chorus Summer Sing 5_22_14.pdf ("The twenty plus member chorus will put you in the mood for summer with their performance of songs of the season and Broadway tunes.")

It's nothing to do with "marketing" ... it's about two different types of choruses that perform in different settings.

Joseph Tein Aug 6, 2014:

Opera chorus Is different from a lyric chorus and it makes no sense to say the two are the same. See for example:

"Opera's most adored spectacle, Giuseppe Verdi's Aida, opens Friday night in Portland, Ore. Alchemy will be in the air, as 70 men and women hang up their street clothes, trade in their separate selves and combine to create a single character: the operatic Chorus. Whether that character wears the costumes of Egyptian priests or Spanish gypsies, the members of the Portland Opera Chorus know that — as much as any soloist — a solid body of choristers can make a good production sublime. "

Shera Lyn Parpia (asker) Aug 6, 2014:

Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choir doesn't consider choirs are being limiteded to churches and although a number of defintions say that is "usually" so I don't get the impression that it's a rule. Also see this http://www.glasgowlyric.org.uk/ . Thank you Joel and Joseph for your help.

Joel Schaefer Aug 5, 2014:

lyric vs. operatic ... the difference is only marketing (see: Lyric Opera of Chicago). "Lyric" is not more specific :)

Joseph Tein Aug 5, 2014:

lyric chorus Right, Phil ... no need to ignore it when it fits right into the translation.

Another example: "Berkshire Lyric Chorus and the Blafield Children's Chorus Holiday Concert -. “Making Spirits Bright, a Concert of Christmas Music” ..."

philgoddard Aug 5, 2014:

I don't think you can just ignore "lirico".