In baroque opera, the singer was often accompanied by harmonies played by a combination of instruments. this accompaniment was called the .

In baroque opera, the singer was often accompanied by harmonies played by a combination of instruments. this accompaniment was called the  basso continuo.It is sometimes called only continuo. The term  means "continuous bass". It was played by a keyboard instrument and another bass instrument such as cello, violone (an old form of double bass) or bassoon.

Just pretend that your talking to a empty room

This is called adduction