| The literal or etymological meaning of the word | | | | these find their root in the “opera buffo”. |
| ‘opera’ in Italian is ‘work’ (from its plural | | | | In 1800, the opera was still dominated by the Italians |
| ‘opus’ meaning ‘labor’ or ‘work’). If | | | | and we see that the storylines were based on |
| we wish to inquire about the origin of opera, we will | | | | tragedy and the conflicts between tyranny and |
| only learn that it had no particular source, it has rather | | | | oppression. In 1900, opera came to be dominated by |
| evolved with time. Initially it was performed in courts, | | | | the Germans and became nationalistic and often |
| and later moved on to public performances. The | | | | based on legend and folklore. |
| country where it first originated was of course Italy, as | | | | Till date, opera remains an outstandingly popular form |
| the literal meaning suggests. The first accepted | | | | of music which is enjoyed world over. From merely |
| composition of the opera is “Daphne”. It was | | | | the European Continent, it has evolved to become a |
| said to be the first performance of the opera | | | | world heritage when it comes to music. This is evident |
| composition in 1598 during a carnival at the home of | | | | by the large number of Opera Houses all over the |
| Jacopo Corsi, in the beautiful city of Florence, Italy. Italy | | | | world; the largest one being in the New York City and |
| was a great music talent and enjoyed great music in | | | | second to it in Chicago; both being Non-European. The |
| its music carnivals, canti camascialeschi. The time | | | | Opera House in Sydney is also very popular. |
| period from 1500-1700 AD is considered as the one | | | | With time, Opera has served the taste of all music |
| propounding the earliest influences of this Italian Music | | | | lovers and has also commercialized the use of |
| on the European Continent; this period is known as | | | | “Opera Glasses” also known as Theatre |
| “Baroque”. | | | | Binoculars. These are designed according to the |
| After the Baroque Period, the opera split into two – | | | | Galileo design of the binoculars with hardly any change |
| opera seria (serious opera) and opera buffo (comedic | | | | in design at present. The most feasible magnification |
| opera). The former was dominated by Germans. It | | | | power of these is considered to be 3X. These have |
| took excerpts from myth and history; while the latter | | | | also evolved from once being considered as a cheap |
| took the lives of ordinary men and exemplified their | | | | means of watching the opera by the middle or lower |
| stories of love, revenge, deceit, etc. another form of | | | | classes who didn’t have the capacity to purchase |
| opera which dimmed the Italian opera for a while was | | | | front row tickets; to now being a very trendy affair |
| the “Ballad Opera”; it was inspired by the Old | | | | and a style statement for going to the opera. |
| Ballads and got immediate popularity in London. | | | | Extremely exquisite, extravagant and intricate designs |
| Another form of Opera called the “Singspiel | | | | are available in these with added new features of dim |
| Opera” combined songs with spoken dialogues and | | | | lights, lorgnettes, handles, chains etc. They are now |
| was popularized by the Germans; similarly French | | | | recognized as fashion accessories and a must have |
| Comique was popularized by the French; and both of | | | | for an opera-goer. |