Sorry if this gets posted twice; I think I'm having some trouble with my login since I haven't been here for years . . .

Can anyone give some examples / characteristics of art songs? I've googled the term but the descriptions I've found haven't been particularly helpful to me as far as they pertain to musical theatre. What are some standard elements of an "Art Song"?

Thanks!
(aerial)

Don't see much of the connection to MT. An "Art Song" is basically similar to a solo aria, but it's not from an opera -- it's an independent composition. They're commonly part of the repertoire of classical and opera singers.

Really no connection to musical theatre at all. Usually they're just poems set to music.

Art songs are typically poems set to music in the classical style however they are frequently used in both classical and musical theatre voice lessons to teach technique. The famous 26 art songs and arias book is known the world over as a basic vocal technique training resource that if you study voice or mt at the collegiate level you will definitely encounter. Some examples are Caro Mio Ben, Sebben Crudele and Gia Il Sole Dal Gange.