Solo vs. aria...?!
Question: What is the difference between a vocal solo and an aria?
Answers: What is the difference between a vocal solo and an aria?
A solo is just a place in a music where one voice/insturment is featured on their own for a point in time inside a greater piece.
An aria is a piece designed for a singular voice/instrument with orchestral accompaniment and is specifically meant for classical music.
A vocal solo is usually place in work with 2 more voices, most often seen in choral works. The other answerer is right on target.
Arias, however, are solos in opera for a particular character. Early arias usually expressed only one emotion. As it developed, it now presents a variety.