What is Opera?

The words of an opera are known as the libretto (literally "small book"). Some composers, notably Wagner, have written their own libretti; others have worked in close collaboration with their librettists, e.g. Mozart with Lorenzo Da Ponte. Traditional opera, often referred to as "number opera", consists of two modes of singing: recitative, the plot-driving passages sung in a style designed to imitate and emphasize the inflections of speech,[4] and aria (an "air" or formal song) in which the characters express their emotions in a more structured melodic style. Vocal duets, trios and other ensembles often occur, and choruses are used to comment on the action. In some forms of opera, such as singspiel, opéra comique, operetta, and semi-opera, the recitative is mostly replaced by spoken dialogue. Melodic or semi-melodic passages occurring in the midst of, or instead of, recitative, are also referred to as arioso. The terminology of the various kinds of operatic voices is described in detail below.[5]During both the Baroque and Classical periods, recitative could appear in two basic forms, each of which was accompanied by a different instrumental ensemble: secco(dry) recitative, sung with a free rhythm dictated by the accent of the words, accompanied only by basso continuo, which was usually a harpsichord and a cello; or accompagnato (also known as strumentato) in which the orchestra provided accompaniment. Over the 18th century, arias were increasingly accompanied by the orchestra. By the 19th century, accompagnato had gained the upper hand, the orchestra played a much bigger role, and Wagner revolutionized opera by abolishing almost all distinction between aria and recitative in his quest for what Wagner termed "endless melody". Subsequent composers have tended to follow Wagner's example, though some, such as Stravinsky in his The Rake's Progress have bucked the trend. The changing role of the orchestra in opera is described in more detail below.

Orchestra Instruments

Instruments of the Orchestra

Every orchestra is different, but here are some instruments you’re likely to see:

String family Violin Viola [vee-OH-lah] Cello (violoncello) [CHEL-low] Bass (double bass, contra bass) [rhymes with “face’] Woodwind family Flute, Piccolo Oboe, English horn Clarinet, Bass clarinet Bassoon, Contrabassoon Saxophones Brass family Trumpet Horn (French horn) Trombone Tuba Keyboards and Harp Celesta [cheh-LESS-tah] Piano Harpsichord Organ Synthesizer Harp

Percussion family Timpani (kettledrums) [TIM-pa-nee] Snare drum Bass drum Cymbals Tambourine Triangle Xylophone Glockenspiel Chimes Marimba Vibraphone (vibes) plus other things to hit, scrape, and shake Voice Types Soprano     high female voice Mezzo-soprano     medium female voice Alto (contralto)     low female voice Countertenor     very high male voice Tenor     high male voice Baritone     medium male voice Bass     low male voice

Countries You Should Visit At Least Once In Your Lifetime

New Zealand

There’s probably no one who has been to New Zealand and hasn’t fallen in love immediately with this enigmatic land. It’s hard to find places where travelers are more gratified than in New Zealand, in terms of man-made marvels as well as the grandeurs of nature.

The backdrop of New Zealand is truly magnificent with its prehistoric forests, widespread beaches, snowclad mountains and remarkable springs. The coexistence between Maori and European people forms the basis of the distinctive New Zealanders culture.

New Zealand is also one of the easiest places to travel on earth because of its well-developed infrastructures and high quality of service it offers. The food, wine and beer of this land also offer travelers with supreme sense of taste.

Australia

Australia is not just a nation but a continent as well. In its enormity, lies a world within our world which is rich in ethnic and cultural diversity, amazing landscapes and offers numerous opportunities for entertainment.

This is a nation of relaxed sociability and lively spirit evident in every turn of a corner. Travel in Australia can be expensive but costs can be reduced using travel couponsand booking flights ahead of time. A sunny climate all year around is one of the major reasons behind Australians’ liveliness which has led to a prominent cultural focus onoutdoor living, demonstrated by vibrant beaches and outside camps.

The Twelve Apostles are not to be missed during an Australian trip. They are one of the nation’s most lovely natural marvels. Besides that, the other exotic wonders of nature for one to explore are the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru and the Island of Whitsunday.

Japan

Japan is a unique blend of tradition and innovation. The superb religious and cultural heritages from the past co-exist extraordinarily with state-of-art technological and architectural achievements in the present.

There are thousands of spectacular Buddhist temples and shrines all over Japan, most of which are in Kyoto, rightly known as the cultural capital of Japan. The other culturally rich cities in Japan worth visiting are Nara and Kanazawa.

Mount Fuji, Imperial Palace, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, the Island Shrine of Itsukushima, Osaka National Park, Chubu-Sangaku National Park and the Japanese Alps are some of the other notable places to visit in this exotic nation.

Thailand

With intriguing history, Thailand is one of the most popular tourist destination in Southeast Asia.From the ancient Buddhist temples and beautiful palaces to its pristine islands and national parks, Thailand provides for all kind of tourists.

The capital of Bangkok with its bustling streets and gigantic malls contrasts sharply with the tranquil villages in the hills. But this diversity is exactly what makes Thailand a fascinating destination for travellers.

Thai food is appetizing and the people are very convivial. This country appeals to travellers ofvarious budgets.It welcomes everyone from officials who want to stay at five-star resorts to backpackers who prefer stay at low-cost guest houses.

Nepal

A tiny Himalayan nation lying between the two big neighbors, China and India, Nepal is a world in itself. No country in the world offers such wide range of experiences in such a small area.

Some of the best places in the world for trekking and mountaineering are located in this nation. Eight out of ten of the tallest mountains in the world are here. It is probably the best place for adventure tourism with endless opportunities for safari, rafting and paragliding.

Although the snow white peaks of Himalayas are the first things that come to mind when one thinks of Nepal, nature is not the only aspect of this nation’s enigma. Kathmandu, the capital, is a city of a thousand temples that showcases a unique blend of Hindu and Buddhist religious heritages.

South Africa

This southern African nation is a place that doesn’t disappoint visitors. It’s a large, diverse and unbelievably beautiful destination. South Africa is also a major cultural hub of the African continent.

Cape Town and Johannesburg are constantly ranked among the best cities for travelers. The enigmatic Table Mountain and Table Bay ought not to be missed while travelling to South Africa. The vineyards of Franschhoek also certainly beckon.

There are many wildlife reserves in this nation. Kruger National Park and Addo Elephent National Park are the two most notable ones.

Botswana

Botswana is as awe-inspiring for travelers as is the story of the nation’s journey from abject poverty to being now one of the most stable economies in Africa. The way it has been able to preserve its natural treasures in the midst of all this economic growth is also equally impressive.

Botswana is a premier safari location in the African content, with large portions of its land making up national parks and wildlife reserves. There are also iconic cultural heritage sites for tourists to explore.

Chobe and Okavango Delta region are perfect for wildlife viewing. Kalahari Desert, Tsodilo Hills and Nxai Pan National Park are some of the other places one must not miss on a trip to Botswana.

Latvia

This Baltic pearl is undergoing a revival phase after an end to years of communist rule. The infrastructures have been improved and lots of overhauls are taking place especially in the towns like culturally rich Riga, named the European Capital of Culture very recently.

Most of the visitors are concerned with only the Latvian capital but the true spirit of Latvia resides in the spectacular countryside filled with pristine lakes, emerald forests and sandy beaches.

Almost half of Latvia is covered with natural ecosystems and each of the four national parks are equally beautiful. Jurmala’s Baltic waters and the waterfall of Ventas Rumba are also not be missed on a Latvian trip.

ZAKAT FITRAH

 Pengertian Zakat Fitrah

Zakat Fitrah ialah zakat diri yang difardhukan ke atas setiap individu lelaki dan perempuan muslim yang berkemampuan dengan syarat-syarat yang ditetapkan.

 Syarat Wajib Zakat Fitrah

Orang Islam yang wajib mengeluarkan zakat fitrah untuk diri dan keluarga atau tanggungannya ialah:

• Individu yang mempunyai lebihan makanan atau hartanya dari keperluan tanggungannya pada malam dan pagi hari raya.
• Anak yang lahir sebelum matahari jatuh pada akhir bulan Ramadhan dan hidup selepas terbenam matahari.
• Memeluk Islam sebelum terbenam matahari pada akhir bulan Ramadhan dan berkekalan Islamnya.
• Seseorang yang meninggal selepas terbenam matahari akhir Ramadhan.

DUA LIPA

This is my fav female singer. Dua Lipa is an English singer, songwriter and model. Her musical career began at age 14, when she began covering songs by other artists on YouTube. In 2015, she signed with Warner Music Group and released her first single soon after

THIS IS AMERICA - Childish Gambino

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYOjWnS4cMY

this is one of my fav music video. it contains a lot of hidden message. and basically this video tells what happened in america

Foods to Avoid If You Have Anxiety or Depression

Fruit Juice

The fiber in whole fruit fills you up and slows down how your blood takes in energy. Without that fiber, you’re just drinking nutritious sugar-water that can quickly hype you up -- and bring you down just as fast. That can leave you hungry and angry -- “hangry.” That won't help anxiety and depression. Eat your fruit whole. When you’re thirsty, drink water. 

Regular Soda

There's no win for you here: It has all of the blood-spiking sugar of fruit juice with none of the nutrition. Sugar-sweetened drinks like soda have a direct link to depression, too. If you crave a pop, try seltzer water with a splash of juice instead. It'll give you a bubbly fix without too much of the stuff you don't need.

Diet Soda

No sugar, so no problem, right? Not exactly. You may not have the energy crash that comes with having too much sugar, but diet soda may make you depressed. In fact, it could make you feel more down than its sugary cousin would. Too much of the caffeine that many sodas have can be bad for anxiety, too.

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Toast

Wait, toast?! If it's made from white bread, yes. The highly processed white flour it's made from quickly turns to blood sugar after you eat it. That can cause energy spikes and crashes that can be bad for anxiety and depression. You can have your toast -- and eat it, too. Just use whole-grain bread.

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‘Light’ Dressing

You might know to avoid some pre-packaged dressings and marinades loaded with sugar, often listed as “high-fructose corn syrup.” But what about “light” or “sugar-free” dressings? Many get their sweetness from aspartame, an artificial sweetener linked to anxiety and depression. Check the ingredients or, better yet, make your dressing at home from scratch.  

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Ketchup

It’s mostly tomatoes, right? Well, yes, and sugar, lots of sugar. Four grams per tablespoon, to be exact. And the “light” stuff may have artificial sweeteners that could be linked to anxiety and depression.  Try homemade tomato salsa instead. Want a little kick? Add a bit of cayenne pepper. 

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Coffee

If you’re not used to it, the caffeine in it can make you jittery and nervous. It could also mess up your sleep. Neither helps anxiety or depression. Caffeine withdrawal can make you feel bad, too. If you think it causes you problems, cut caffeine out of your diet slowly. If you’re OK with it, or drink decaf, coffee can actually help make you feel less depressed. 

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Energy Drinks

They can cause weird heart rhythms, anxiety, and sleep issues. That’s because it’s not always easy to know the sky-high caffeine levels hidden in ingredients like guarana. These beverages often have loads of sugar or artificial sweeteners, too. Drink water if you’re thirsty. Want a sugar hit? Eat a piece of fruit.

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Alcohol

Even a little can mess up your sleep. Not enough rest can raise anxiety and cause depression. Too many ZZZs can cause even more problems. That said, a drink could calm your nerves and make you more sociable. That can be good for your mental health. The key is dosage: A drink a day for women, and two a day for men, is the limit.

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Frosting

It’s the sugar, right? Well, yes, but that’s not all. It’s also loaded with around 2 grams of "trans fats" per serving. They're linked to depression. Sometimes called “partially hydrogenated oils,” they’re also in fried foods, pizza dough, cakes, cookies, and crackers. Check your labels. If you do eat fat, make it the “good” kind you get from foods like fish, olive oil, nuts, and avocado. Those can lift your mood.

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Soy Sauce

This one is only for people who are sensitive to gluten. In addition to breads, noodles, and pastries, it’s also in prepackaged foods like soy sauce. If you’re sensitive to gluten, it can cause anxiety or depression. It can also make you feel sluggish and not at your best. Check labels and try to steer clear.

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Processed Foods

If you eat lots of processed meat, fried food, refined cereals, candy, pastries, and high-fat dairy products, you’re more likely to be anxious and depressed. A diet full of whole fiber-rich grains, fruits, vegetables, and fish can help keep you on a more even keel.

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Doughnuts

We all love them, and little treats now and then can help your mood. But just so you know: Doughnuts have all the wrong kinds of fats, snow-white flour with little fiber to slow absorption, and lots of added sugar. So, if you must, make them a treat, not a routine.