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What is opera?
Opera is a story told through song. It is actually a combination of art forms using words, music, art, drama, and dance. Many famous stories have been made into operas, including Cleopatra, Hansel and Gretel, and Romeo and Juliet.
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Claudio Monteverdi
(1567-1643) |
How did opera get started?
The concept of opera was developing many years before the first opera was written. Its beginnings can be traced to the ancient Greeks. They fused poetry and music, creating plays that incorporate song, spoken language and dance, accompanied by strings or wind instruments.
In the 1100s the early Christian church set religious stories to music, a style known as liturgical drama. The first true opera, Daphne, was composed by Jacopo Peri (1561-1633). It told the story of a Greek myth. The first great composer of opera was Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643). Some of his operas are still performed today.
Why do many people associate opera with Italy?
Italy was the first country where opera became popular. It was the homeland of Jacopo Peri and Claudio Monteverdi. In time this exciting form of entertainment spread to the rest of Europe. France and Germany joined Italy as the principal opera producers. Eventually opera came to reflect the stories and musical styles of each of these countries.
Who went to the opera?
Everyone!
What are the different styles of opera?
| Bel canto |
This Italian phrase means “beautiful singing.” These operas grew from a style of singing emphasizing long phrases, breath control and flexibility in singing both loudly and softly. Because the voice is considered the most expressive element, the words are often secondary. Composer Gaetano Donizetti is an example of this style. |
| Grand opera |
Spectacular opera. It is performed with elaborate sets and costumes. Many people are needed to make it happen. Grand opera always involves royalty, heroism, an elaborate ballet scene, and is often long. Composer Jules Massenet wrote opera in this style. |
| Opera seria |
Serious opera. These stories are often tragic, and typically involve heroes and kings or ancient myths and gods. Some of Mozart’s operas are in this style. |
| Opera buffa |
Comic opera, sung in Italian. The characters who supply the jokes represent the working class, such as maids, peasants, or servants. These operas usually end with a happy lesson and with the antagonist defeated. Gioachino Rossini composed in this style. |
| Singspiel |
Singspiel evolved in German speaking countries out of the comic opera tradition. It includes both elements of comic opera (funny, working class characters), spoken dialogue interjected among the sung phrases, and often incorporates an exotic or fanciful theme. Mozart’s The Magic Flute is an example of this style. |
| Music drama |
A style of opera that is created by a single artist who writes both the text and the music to advance the drama. Composer Richard Wagner (1813-1883) defined this style. |
What is the difference between opera and music theatre?
Music theatre is an American art form that grew out of the rich music and theatre traditions of Europe. The main difference between these two forms is in the musical language: opera is composed in a classical style, while music theatre is composed in a popular and/or jazz style. Also, opera is usually completely sung while music theatre contains spoken dialogue and songs. The differences can be difficult to distinguish. Most often, the composer of the work specifies whether it will be opera or music theatre.
Opera is alive and well!
Even today opera composers adhere to the Greek tradition of fusing poetry and music. The subject matter of operas has evolved to include contemporary plays, biographies and folk tales. There will always be a place for beautiful music, great drama, and the very best of storytelling.
Continue Reading...
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The Elements of Opera...
The Creators...
The Interpreters...
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