To determine if the presence of reproductive messages is a long term, enduring feature of song lyrics, the fourth study was based on a content analysis of the lyrics contained in a sample of representative art songs and opera aria dating back as far as 1597. Arias are usually a melodic segment set within the context of a larger composition called an opera. Though arias are often performed independent of the full opera, they derive much of their meaning from the framework of the surrounding composition. In contrast, Art songs are smaller scale compositions that.
