With the advent of streaming services like Spotify, Pandora, and Apple Music, the traditional live opera experience is becoming increasingly difficult to find.
As a result, there is a growing interest in watching opera on TV or online. And with that comes the need for an introduction to what makes up classical opera.
This article is meant as an introductory guide to classical opera. It will introduce you to the most famous operas and composers in history, as well as provide some insight into what makes up an opera.
Table of Contents
Introduction: What is a Classical Opera and Why Should I Care?
The theater that is most popular today, the opera, is full of history, intrigue, and legacy. It has its roots in ancient Greek theatre.
Opera is a genre of drama, in which the dialogue is sung to an orchestral accompaniment. When someone goes to see an opera live on stage they are primarily witnessing an artistic performance with dramatic dialogue set to music composed by a composer like Mozart for example.
The opera genre has existed since the 17th century when it emerged in Italy and was primarily performed in operas houses or theaters which were called at the time “casa dell opera”. The name “opera” comes from “opera buffa”, which means “comic work” in Italian.
History of Classical Opera in the West
An opera is a form of theatrical entertainment involving singing, acting, and usually dancing. This art form is the highest standard of Western theatre.
There are three main branches of opera: Italian opera, French opera, and German opera. Opera first became popular in Italy in the late 16th century.
What Are The Different Types of Operas?
The word “opera” comes from the Italian word “opera,” which means “work.” The best operas have a deep emotional impact on the audience that can sometimes last for months or years after seeing it.
There are many types of operas, and one of them is comic opera. A comic opera is a type of opera that has humorous lyrics, usually about mistaken identity and unlikely events. Another type is musical theatre, which combines singing and acting with a dance-like style to create a new kind of art form. The best operas have a deep emotional impact on the audience that can sometimes last for months or years after seeing it.
The Importance of Music in an Opera
Music is a key component in an opera. It can set the mood and establish a scene. The music is often written before the libretto and serves as a guide for the singers.
Music is an essential part of opera performances. In both traditional and contemporary operas, music plays a major role in setting the mood, establishing scenes, and guiding singers to portray their characters. In traditional operas, which are written in music notation, composers usually write the music before writing the libretto or dialogue; if they compose the libretto first it will already have been decided what kind of emotions should dominate at any given point. In contemporary operas that may be composed in a non-traditional way, such as through improvisation or collaborative composition techniques like wordless theatre where there is no
The Importance of Lyricism in an Opera
In opera, the lyrics are used to convey the thoughts and emotions of the character. The lyricism is an aspect that is commonly overlooked in a lot of operas. It can be a long journey to master this art form and a lot of work goes into it. Any aspiring opera singer must learn this skill effectively.
What are the Differences Between Verdi & Wagner’s Operas?
Verdi’s operas are generally famous for their simplicity, while Wagner’s operas are for their complexity.
Generally, you will find that the music in Verdi’s opera is lighter, more lyrical, and simple while Wagner had more complex harmonic structures.
What Does the Future Hold For Classical Opera?
Opera is not dead. It has gone through changes in the past hundred years. The most significant change is the change of performance venues. As opera audiences declined, theaters were no longer able to afford opera productions and they started closing down. Opera companies began performing in smaller venues like theatres, concert halls, and clubs. While some classical operas are still performed in traditional opera houses for special occasions, the majority of performances are now in these smaller venues with lesser seating capacities.
The future of classical opera remains uncertain because it does not seem to be a top priority among politicians and city officials who have been dealing with budget issues for years already. However, many young people are beginning to take a liking to it and there is a hope that it will find its way back into modern culture soon enough.