Gourt > Arts > Music > Styles > O > Opera > Individual Operas (8)
Opera refers to a dramatic art form, originating in Italy, in which the emotional content or primary entertainment is conveyed to the audience as much through music, both vocal and instrumental, as it is through the lyrics. From the beginning of the form (about 1600), there has been contention whether the music is paramount, or the words, a theme that Richard Strauss took up in his final opera, Capriccio (1942). Also, dramatic speech in opera is often sung in recitative. By contrast, in musical theater, dialogue is spoken and an actor's dramatic performance is generally more important than in opera.
Comparable art forms from various parts of the world, many of them quite ancient in origin, exist and are also sometimes called "opera" by analogy, usually prefaced with an adjective indicating the region (for example Chinese opera). However, other than superficial similarities, these other art forms developed independently from and are completely unrelated to opera but are art forms in their own right, not derivatives of opera.
The drama is presented using the primary elements of theatre such as scenery, costumes, and acting. However, the words of the opera, or libretto, are customarily sung rather than spoken. The singers are accompanied by a musical ensemble ranging from a small instrumental ensemble to a full symphonic orchestra.
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1896 - Pheidippides... run again! - All about the award-winning opera, based on the first modern Olympic Games in Athens 1896. Opera and libretto by Luca Belcastro.
Meta Description: [ Contemporary Opera on the First Modern Olympic Games in Athens 1896. The libretto by the same composer is drawn from official documents, newspapers, memories of athletes, poetical texts and classics ]
Aethelred the Unready - One-act opera by American composer Richard Wilson.
Amahl and the Night Visitors - Opera by Gian Carlo Menotti, performed by the Celebration Singers and Children's Chorus.
Meta Description: [ Amahl and the Night Visitors; Tom Pedas, Music Director, The Celebration Singers Children's Chorus; Choral Groups for Children and Adults ]
Antony and Cleopatra - A new lyrical grand opera adapted from Shakespeare.
Chauvin - This opera in three acts, awaiting its world premiere, is loosely based on the story of Nicolas Chauvin, of chauvinism notoriety. Site features description of many details of this opera: story, theme, orchestral and vocal requirements.
Mozart's The Magic Flute - Read and listen to the 1937 performance.
Meta Description: [ The Magic Flute Home Page ]
Olympias - Chamber opera seeking a world premiere. Includes details of story, theme, and casting.
Orestes' Last Tango - All about this new tango opera by Diego Vila and Beatriz Gambartes, based on El Reñidero of Sergio De Cecco.
Meta Description: [ Tango Opera from Argentina by Beatriz Gambartes and Diego Vila ]
Paradise Lost: Opera Electronica - Details about the opera, its creators, video clips and upcoming performances in 2002 and 2003.
Tamerlano - One of Handel's greatest operas, presented by The English Concert, June 27-30, 2001. Synopsis and profiles. London.
Meta Description: [ In a spectacular new production, The English Concert presents Tamerlano, one of Handel's greatest operas, conducted by Trevor Pinnock, directed by Jonathan Miller ]
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The Silver Tassie - About the opera and its performance at The Coliseum in London, February 2000.
Meta Description: [ musicOMH.com reviews The Silver Tassie @ English National Opera, London. ]
Virtopera - A virtual opera composed by Eberhard Schoener. Be the audience or influence its development. [English/German/Portuguese/Italian] [Flash player required]
Meta Description: [ Virtopera - die erste Internetoper mit dem virtuellen Opernstar Coldgenius. User können bei der Entstehung der Oper mitwirken. ]
Willows by the Western Gate - Complete libretto of a new opera based on an ancient Chinese love story.
Meta Description: [ The complete libretto of an intimate opera based on ancient Chinese love story. ]
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