The History of Opera

The first opera, Dafne, by Jacopo Peri, made it’s debut in 1597. After that beginning, two types emerged, the Opera Seria (Serious Opera) and the Opera Buffa (Comic Opera). By the 1600s Baroque era, opera had become an elaborate affair with ornate sets and moving parts. Some of the most important singers of this era were men who had preserved their soprano voices, also known as castrati. These men were the stars of the 17th and 18th centuries.

During the Classical era, operas began to have more realistic themes, one of the most famous being Le Nozze de Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) by Mozart. During the Romantic period, Grand Opera became larger than life. The bel canto movement became one of the most important styles during this time. This style was all about ornamentation and simple harmonic structure.

During the 19th century, giants such as Bizet, Verdi, and Wagner ruled the opera stages with their creations such as Carmen, Rigoletto, and la Traviata. The 20th century brought about masters such as Pucchini with his operas, La Boheme and Madama Butterfly. If you ever have the chance to view an opera, grab it! The caliber of the professionals and musicians is unmatched!