Meanwhile, other national traditions arose, each with a distinct identity. His sequence of large-scale, mainly mythological operas, climaxing in the four-evening-long Der Ring des Nibelungen (1876) and Parsifal (1882) are among man's most ambitious artistic works. In Germany, Weber instigated opera's Romantic phase with his gothic-horror tale Der Freischütz (The Marksman, 1821) its impact was wide, not least on Wagner, whose reimagining of the potential of opera would prove revolutionary. Over five decades he demonstrated a vigorous commitment to drama in Rigoletto (1851), Il Trovatore and La Traviata (both 1855), gradually honing his technical skills to perfection in Otello (1887) and Falstaff (1893). As the 19th century progressed, Italian composers Rossini ( pictured right), Donizetti and Bellini continued to compose lyrical scores – their writing privileged the expressive power of the human voice in what has become known as the bel canto (beautiful singing) style. New subjects extolling liberty became popular in the works of the Paris-based Italian Luigi Cherubini, the contemporary most admired by Beethoven. The French Revolution impacted on opera as on everything else. At the end of the 18th century, Mozart (1756-1791) drew on these traditions in a sequence of comedies (Nozze di Figaro, 1786, Don Giovanni, 1787, and Così fan Tutte, 1790), as well as renewing opera seria (Idomeneo, 1781, and La Clemenza di Tito, 1791), and giving a boost to opera in the German (as opposed to Italian) language (Die Entführung aus dem Serail, 1782 and Die Zauberflöte, 1791). Simplicity and naturalism were the watchwords of Gluck (1714-1787), whose L'Orfeo ed Euridice (1762) and Alceste (1767, pictured left) provided the benchmarks for such "reform" works, focusing on dramatic truth. The second arose from a desire to rationalise opera along Enlightenment lines. Comedies ( opera buffa) such as this made opera seria look marmoreal. The first was the posthumous success of Pergolesi's 1733 subversive Neapolitan comedy, La Serva Padrona, in which a maid outwits and marries her master. Two developments ended the hegemony of serious opera ( opera seria). Opera moved into the public sphere in 1637 when the first opera house opened in Venice, soon sparking rival operations. Greek myths continued to provide the subject matter as opera spread throughout Italy. The most famous example is L'Orfeo by Monteverdi (1567-1643, pictured right), which is often regarded as opera's first masterpiece. By the early 17th century, opera had become a popular form of entertainment, and it soon spread to other parts of Europe.The Camerata's successful experiment led to follow-ups, often performed at Italian courts for the entertainment of guests. It was developed by a group of composers and poets known as the Florentine Camerata, and the first fully-developed opera was “Dafne,” composed by Jacopo Peri and premiered in Florence in 1598. Opera has been a major part of Western culture for centuries, and its origins can be traced back to the late 16th century in Italy. It soon spread to other parts of Europe, and by the 18th century, it had become a popular form of entertainment. This was followed by the works of Claudio Monteverdi, who is often credited with establishing the standard form of opera.īy the early 17th century, opera was being performed in cities across Italy. The first fully-developed opera is believed to be “Dafne,” which was composed by Jacopo Peri and premiered in Florence in 1598. This group aimed to recreate the music and drama of Ancient Greek tragedy by combining music, acting, and dance. It was initially developed by a group of composers and poets known as the Florentine Camerata. Opera began to emerge in Italy in the late 16th century. The word “opera” is derived from the Italian word “operare,” which means “to work” or “to labor.” It is believed that the term was first used in the late 16th century to describe a form of musical drama. Opera is often considered to be a mix of the musical styles of the Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical periods. It was first developed in Italy in the early 17th century, and soon spread to other parts of Europe. Opera is a form of musical theatre that combines music, acting, and dance. Opera has been a major part of Western culture for centuries, but where did it all begin? In this article, we will explore the origins of opera and the period during which it first emerged.
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