Opera
Originating in Italy, the purpose of
opera was to emulate classic
Greek plays were meant to include music, and therefore the countries which subsequently formed their own dramas also contained music in the stage production. Opera involves a combination of singing, acting, and dancing, though over time different styles of opera emerged.
Types of Opera
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'''Operetta''' - A light opera usually with fast action , and happy & extravagant music and production.
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Opera Seria"; A noble or serious type of opera popular during the 18th century whose goal was to have simple, rational, and universal appeal.
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'''Singspiel''' language opera which was usually comic and had spoken dialogue.
Famous Opera Composers
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Benjamin Britten
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Gaetano Donizetti
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Giacomo Puccini
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Giuseppe Verdi
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Henry Purcell
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Jacopo Peri
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Jeffrey Strauss
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Richard Wagner
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Vincenzo Bellini
Singing Styles
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Aria''' - An expressive solo performance accompanied by a flowing melody.
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'''Castrato''' - A man whose singing voice maintains the level of Soprano; caused by endocrinological condition or by castration which prevents the vocal chords changing/deepening during puberty.
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'''Recitative''' - A style using the pattern of speech, but slightly more melodic.
'''Famous Singers'''
Best Opera Houses
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'''Glyndebourne''' - East Sussex, England
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Classical Music
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Jazz Music
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Latin Music
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Musical Instruments
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Romantic Music
