Supporting part or bit part

[listener]

A useful resource for distinguishing between the importance of parts (and probably pay scales too), can be found at

http://www.caea.com/EquityWeb/EquityLibrary/Agreements/Opera/VOA/VOA-2014-2017-cat-of-roles.pdf

An aspiring composer wanting to keep performance costs down will note the 23 measure limit for bit parts and omit an unnecessary word or phrase or re-bar the section to fit.      In the opposite direction, it is said that Dukas reworked The Sorcerer's Apprentice from 6/8 time to 3/8 when he learned Durand were paying him by the measure!