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Operetta from Contemporary Opera Performances

Operetta is one of the many genres of performance arts that has a very close relationship with opera in terms of both theme and music sequences. Sometimes it is difficult to differentiate between operetta and opera. The term was used for the first time to describe opera stage performances that were shorter and less ambitious [...]

Exploring Various Opera Singing Voices

Different roles in opera are performed using particular voice types. Each is designed for different types of singers and the differential in vocal range in performance is the secret behind the richness of variety and distinctiveness in every classical opera performance.

Opera voices can therefore be classified into different types that fall into either the masculine [...]

Comic Opera and Its Main Variants

Comic opera originated from a strand of opera that was characterized by short but highly entertaining scenes which in most cases had funny servants. The comic opera tradition remains to this day. During the 16th century, these comical scenes came in between various acts that constituted serious opera.

Comic opera existed prior to the 17th century. [...]

The Early Face of Italian Opera

Italian opera combines both the aspects of opera as an art and opera is part of the repository of the Italian language. Opera was in Italy in the late 1500ís and continues to play a dormant role in the cultural fabric of the country. Some of the most influential opera performances in Italy during this [...]

French Opera and Its Italian Influences

France has always maintained a highly operatic tradition since Jean Baptiste Lully, an Italian, set foot into the country. While it is true that Italian opera maintained a strong influence on French Opera, the French variety of this form of composition maintained the much-valued principles of classical French drama.

The linguistic traditions of French Opera have [...]

A Long Journey of German Opera through History

Many German courts were heavily influenced by both Italian and French opera traditions. The Habsburg Empire which had its headquarters in Vienna was also influenced in an equally significant manner. In fact, great German composers such as Handel and Johan Sebastian succeeded because of their synthesis of these two opera traditions.

Hamburg had time for opera [...]

An In Depth Analysis of Various Types of Operas

It is not all operas that have a music setting from the beginning to the end. This basically means that there are many types of operas. The most common type of opera is grand opera. This type of opera is set in music only. The Opera Buffe which is of French origin and its Italian [...]

A brief history of Opera

A historical understanding of the origin of opera is important if the music itself is to be enjoyed. Opera developed in England, Germany, France, and most importantly Italy in the beginning of the 16th century. In fact, the leading role in this development was played by Italy. A story in opera finds expression through musical [...]

Mozart and Opera History 2

Mozart’s music style and the late eighteenth century Classical era music are virtually synonymous. The goal of Classical era music was to conform to specific standards and forms, to be succinct, clear, and well balanced, but at the same time, to develop musical ideas to an emotionally satisfying fullness. As a quintessential Classicist, Mozart’s music [...]

Mozart and Opera History 1

During the latter part of the eighteenth century, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart innovated new perspectives for opera history, imbuing his operas with portrayals of profound matters of the heart, all set against the explosive social and political struggles of Enlightenment Europe. It was the beginning of Mozart and Opera history.

Mozart became the first psychologist of opera [...]

Mozart Operas

Mozart delighted in portraying themes dealing with the inspired ideals of the Enlightenment. He was living and composing during a monumental historical period of social upheaval and ideological transition. It was a time in which the common man struggled for his rights against the tyranny and oppression of his aristocratic master. In particular, The Marriage [...]

Opera History

In the beginning of opera history, there was silence. In the beginning there were words. In the beginning there was music. The genius of man combined silence, words and music, and created a magical art form: opera.

A drama conveys its story through words and action. Opera is a formal theatrical medium that expresses its dramatic [...]