[Listening extract, audio available printed QP. Read questions below.] A soprano sings a fast, decorated melody while a bass sings slower, measured phrases....

(a) A vocal piece where two characters sing together is a duet. [1] In opera, duets allow two characters to interact musically, whether in agreement, conflict, or dialogue. Each singer may have independent melodic lines, sing in harmony, or alternate phrases, depending on the dramatic situation.

(b) Mozart uses vocal registers to distinguish the characters by assigning the soprano a high register with fast, decorated passages to suggest excitement or agility, while the bass sings in a low register with simpler, more measured rhythms to convey gravity, authority, or concern. [1] The contrast in pitch range allows the audience to distinguish the two characters instantly, even when they sing simultaneously. The different melodic styles further reinforce their contrasting personalities or emotional states.

(c) One way the orchestra's role in Classical opera differs from Baroque opera: [1]

• The Classical orchestra plays a more active and independent accompaniment, with fully written-out parts rather than relying on figured bass notation. In Baroque opera, the basso continuo group (harpsichord and bass instrument) provided the harmonic foundation from figured bass, while the Classical orchestra replaced this with a richer, fully orchestrated accompaniment using a wider range of instruments and tone colours for dramatic effect.