Types of Opera Theatre

Centuries of creations

Opera began in 16th-century Italy, performed before royal courts. Performances were prolific; music grew complex, opera houses opened to the public, and during the 18th century, crowds packed opera theatres. Dressed to impress, they aimed their stylish opera glasses at the stage while also taking snobbish peeks at the people in attendance.

Striving for perfection

Operas are usually divided into two to five acts, with overtures preceding the performance. Older operas consisted of reciting, choruses singing, dancing, showoff soloists performing arias, and massive applause from the audience. During the 19th century, composers wrote music and songs that told the story, eliminating the recitations that interfered with melodic moods.

Versatile attraction

Opera has influenced most other forms of music. Great operas have endured centuries; others open and close the same night. Some audiences prefer a long, dramatic, sometimes tragic performance like the Grand Opera, where the entire performance is set to music; others might opt for the short operetta, where the storyline is lighthearted, and music is entwined with spoken words.