Opera(i) (It., from Lat. opera, plural of opus: ‘work’; Fr. opéra; Ger. Oper)
- Howard Mayer Brown,
- Ellen Rosand,
- Reinhard Strohm,
- Michel Noiray,
- Roger Parker,
- Arnold Whittall,
- Roger Savage
- and Barry Millington
Extract
(It., from Lat. opera, plural of opus: ‘work’; Fr. opéra; Ger. Oper)
The present article surveys the origins and the history of opera and its presentation. For fuller discussion of the history of individual sub-genres and related genres, the reader is referred to the entries listed below. Discussion of opera houses and operatic activity in particular cities will be found in entries on the cities concerned, and of the works of individual composers within their entries.
See also Azione teatrale;Ballad opera;Ballet de cour;Ballet-héroïque;Burlesque; Burletta;Chamber opera;Comédie-ballet;Divertissement;Drame lyrique;Dramma giocoso;Dramma per musica;Entrée;Extravaganza;Farsa; Favola in musica; Festa teatrale;Film musical;Grand opéra;Intermède;Intermedio; Intermezzo; Jesuits;Lehrstück;Libretto; Liederspiel;Madrigal comedy;Märchenoper;Masque; Medieval drama; Melodrama;Melodramma; Monodrama;Musical; Music drama; Music theatre;Number opera;Opéra-ballet;Opéra bouffon;Opera buffa;Opéra comique;Opéra féerie;Opera semiseria;Opera seria;Operetta; Pantomime;Pasticcio; Pastoral;Pastorale-héroïque;Posse; Puppet opera, puppet theatre; Rappresentazione sacra; Rescue opera;Sainete...