General Rules
* Italics: Musical titles (songs, albums, operas, musicals, etc.) are typically italicized.
* Quotation Marks: If the title appears within a larger work (like a book or article), use quotation marks instead of italics.
Examples:
* Italics:
* I listened to *Thriller* by Michael Jackson.
* The opera *Carmen* is a classic.
* The Broadway musical *Hamilton* is a huge success.
* Quotation Marks:
* The article discussed the song "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen.
* The book mentions the famous aria "Nessun Dorma" from Puccini's *Turandot*.
Specific Cases
* Song Titles: Generally italicized, unless enclosed within a larger text.
* Albums: Always italicized.
* Opera Titles: Always italicized.
* Musical Titles: Always italicized.
* Parts of Musical Works:
* Movements of symphonies or concertos are capitalized but not italicized (e.g., Symphony No. 5, First Movement).
* Individual songs within albums or musicals are italicized or enclosed in quotation marks depending on context.
Additional Tips:
* Consistency: Be consistent with your punctuation within a single text. If you choose to use italics, stick with them throughout.
* Style Guides: If you're writing for a specific publication, check their style guide for their preferred punctuation rules.
* Common Usage: While these rules are generally followed, there are occasional exceptions, especially in informal settings.
Let me know if you have any further questions!