Happy World Opera Day! Every year on October 25, today shines the light on opera’s contribution to one’s wellbeing. Today also celebrates opera performers and encourages us to learn more about this genre of music.
When one thinks of opera, they might automatically think of opera music. However, opera is about so much more.
An opera is a form of theater that includes an extended dramatic composition.
The musical parts in an opera are sung along to instruments. Most operas include other elements, such as acting, scenery, costumes, and ballet.
Italian composer and singer Jacopo Peri, (known under the pseudonym Il Zazzerino), composed the first opera. He named the opera Dafne and wrote it in 1597 in Florence, Italy. Because of this, Italy is considered the birthplace of opera.
Two types of operas were eventually formed. These included the opera seria and the opera buffa. The former is a dramatic and serious opera while opera buffa, on the other hand, is comedic.
Opera became popular throughout Europe during the Baroque era, which extended from 1600 to 1750.
The first opera in the United States wasn’t performed until 1796 at the French Opera House in New Orleans. Because of this, New Orleans is known as America’s First City of Opera.
Today, operas are performed all over the world. Some of the most famous operas include:
• Don Giovanni (1787) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• Tristan and Isolde (1865) by Richard Wagner
• Eugene Onegin (1879) by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
• Falstaff (1893) by Giuseppe Verdi
• Tosca (1899) by Giacomo Puccini
• Der Rosenkavalier (1910) by Richard Strauss
• Peter Grimes (1945) by Benjamin Britten
These operas and many others are performed in Milan, Sydney, Vienna, Paris, Moscow, Buenos Aires, New York, and London.
These cities are home to the most famous opera houses in the world, such as Palais Garnier, San Carlo Theatre, and Metropolitan Opera House.
"Opera is a wonderful way to link the past to the present. It uses a lot of mythologies, old tales, and also it tells a lot about our time." ~Bernard Foccroulle
In celebration of this day, operas are performed all over the world. If you can’t make it to the opera, other ways to participate include:
• Watch videos of operas on the internet.
• Learn about famous operas, composers, and opera houses.
• Commit to attending an opera soon.
• Research famous opera singers, including Maria Callas, Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, Joan Sutherland, and Andrea Bocelli.
Also, on this day, share a video of your favorite opera singer on social media with #WorldOperaDay.
Three opera organizations launched the first World Opera Day on October 25, 2019. These organizations included Opera America, Opera Europa, and Opera Latinoamerica.
What is your favorite opera(s)?
