scena

American  

[shey-nuh] / ˈʃeɪ nə /

noun

1. an extended operatic vocal solo, usually including an aria and a recitative.

---

scena British  

/ ˈʃeɪnə /

noun

1. a scene in an opera, usually longer than a single aria

2. a dramatic vocal piece written in operatic style

---

Etymology

Origin of scena

1810–20; < Italian: literally, scene

Example Sentences

Each scena could stand alone, but each benefits from the other, and from the shared thread of commanding performances.

From New York Times • Jun. 16, 2015

Photograph: Jean-Baptiste Millot Véronique Gens has recorded Les Nuits d'Eté before, in 2001 for Virgin Classics, as part of an all-Berlioz disc alongside the early scena, La Mort de Cléopatre.

From The Guardian • Jun. 20, 2012

Some of them are obscene in one literal sense of that word--from ob scena, Latin for offstage--the sights to be kept from the view of the audience.

From Time Magazine Archive

"Lau, ma," cried Miss Corinna, "if I haven't come without 'Sweet Bird,' and my scena from 'Medea,' I declare."

From Stories of Comedy by Johnson, Rossiter

On the evening Aunt Louisa's song scena was the success of the show.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 147, November 18, 1914 by Seaman, Owen, Sir