Who Invented Opera?

Opera was invented in Florence, Italy towards thelanguages. The most famous composers include
latter part of the 16th century by a group ofStrauss, Tchaikovsky, Wagner, Handel, Verdi,
wealthy intellectuals and musicians. Their goal wasPuccini, Monteverdi, Mozart, Berlioz, Britten, and
to reproduce the dramas of the ancient GreeksJanacek.
using the plays and text that already existed.Opera finally made its way to America in the
Europe was in the throes of the Renaissance1800's, brought by immigrants from Europe. The
period and during that time, architects, musicians,Metropolitan Opera House in New York City is the
and writers became fascinated with ancientmost famous opera theater in America and was
cultures, particularly the Greeks. The ancient playsopened in 1883. Despite the proliferation of
indicated that music was used as anmodern writers and composers, the most popular
accompaniment; however, no music had beenoperas performed worldwide to this day were
recorded. The Renaissance Italians began recitingwritten during the 18th and 19th century.
the plays out loud and adding musical notes asOpera glossary:
they recited. This eventually caused them to startAria: Instrumental or vocal melody.
singing the text as they recited and led to theBallad Opera: Dance, dialogue, and song combined.
invention of opera.Finale: The last part of the play.
In 1607, Monteverdi invented the very first operaMusical Comedy: Songs, music, and dancing.
which he titled La Favola d'Orfeo, which translatedOperetta: A cheerful opera.
means The Legend of Orpheus. This opera is stillOverture: Musical piece at the start of the opera.
performed today, over 400 years later. The firstSynopsis: An operas story.
operas emphasized the words of the dramas withBaritone: Deep male voice, usually an evil
music merely playing second fiddle to thecharacter.
narrative during small interludes. However, asBass: Deepest male voice, usually old, wise or
professional composers became involved, theyfunny men.
added choruses, dances, and complicated, showyCastrato: Singer who has been castrated to
songs called Arias to showcase the actor's vocalpreserve their childlike vocal tone.
talents.Contralto: Rare, dark female voice, usually an old
Venice opened the first opera house in 1637 andwoman, witch, or grandmother.
quickly became the center of opera with theMezzo-soprano: Second highest female voice,
opening of 16 additional opera theaters. Popularityusually a temptress, witch, or mature woman.
spread through Italy and then on to England,Prima Donna: Lead female singer, usually the most
Spain, Russia, Germany, Portugal, France, and thepopular singer in the play.
rest of Europe. The major opera centers of theSoprano: Highest female singer, usually the heroine
1700's were London, Naples, Paris, and Vienna.but can be other funny characters.
While operas were first written in Italian,Tenor: Highest male singers.
eventually composers began writing in their native