An aria is a self-contained piece for one voice, with or without instrumental or orchestral accompaniment, normally part of a larger work. It is a solo vocal piece, usually found in an opera or oratorio. The term "aria" comes from the Italian word for air, and it is a solo piece sung in an opera or another large-scale vocal work, like an oratorio. Aria is a showcase for a classical vocal soloist, and it is one of the building blocks of an opera. The purpose of an aria can vary, and it can be an opportunity for a character to show off in front of a crowd, or even a window into a characters mind as they go mad. There are many different types of arias, and some of them are aria buffa, arietta, aria di bravura, and aria parlante. Arias can be found in cantatas or just by themselves, and sometimes pieces for instruments are called "aria".