opères

Opera is a form of theatre in which music conveys much of the drama and emotion; most dialogue is spoken or sung in recitative while key moments are set as arias or ensembles. The French plural opéras is used for operas; opera as a genre has roots in Renaissance Italy and spread across Europe and beyond. The earliest surviving operas, composed around 1600 in Florence, were experiments in combining dramatic text with continuous musical accompaniment. Monteverdi’s Orfeo (1607) and later works by Cavalli, Scarlatti, and Legrenzi helped establish conventions such as the use of a continuo, differentiated vocal styles, and the pairing of solo arias with dramatic recitatives. By the 18th century, opera seria and opera buffa developed parallel languages across Italy and broader Europe, with composers such as Gluck reforming practice toward dramatic coherence and Mozart refining musical characterization. In France, tragédie lyrique and other forms integrated ballet, chorus, and large-scale mythic or historical subjects; in Germany, opera evolved with genres such as Singspiel and, later, the Wagnerian tradition of music drama. Opera continues in numerous languages and forms, from traditional court and public theatres to contemporary multimedia productions. Core elements include a libretto, an orchestral score, vocalists trained for specific styles, and a stage design that integrates scenery, lighting, and costuming. Notable genres include opera seria, opera buffa, bel canto, verismo, and modern and experimental forms. Major institutions include historic opera houses and contemporary festivals, which mount revivals and premieres, while recordings and broadcasts broaden access worldwide. Opera remains a synthesis of music, theatre, and visual arts, reflecting cultural history and evolving performance practices.