OPERA IN THE BEGINNING

Claudio Monteverdi

Opera began in the late 16th century in Italy. A group of noblemen were interested in recreating classic Greek plays from 5th century B.C. Greek plays had been performed in outdoor theaters and were almost always performed by a chorus and three actors wearing masks. If there were more than three speaking roles, the actors would go backstage after playing one character, switch masks and costumes, and then reappear as another character!

It was clear that the Greeks used music in their productions. So the Italians began to experiment by reading plays out loud and adding just a little music. Very soon their plays went from reciting to singing and from a little music to entire compositions.

The first “real” opera, Dafne by Jacopo Peri, was performed around 1594 and was done in the recitative style — music with words that tell a story very quickly — like modern rap. The opera itself is lost but we know it was performed because there were many comments written about it. People were very excited about this new art form!

The Italian composer Claudio Monteverdi expanded the operatic form by adding more elaborate songs. Monteverdi composed at least eighteen operas. His music allowed singers to display more emotion and to show off their voices. Opera soon became popular all over Europe. It was the “pop music” of its day.

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SO JUST WHAT IS OPERA?

Opera is the most complex of all the art forms and has been exciting, educating, and challenging its audiences for more than 400 years. It combines the best of each of the performing arts into one seamless, exciting whole. Opera expresses the drama of theater, the emotional power of music, the grace of dance, and the beauty of the voice. Before opera, each of these art forms had to be experienced separately.

Opera has proved itself more long-lasting than critics could ever have imagined! It reflects everyday life. It is a window into the soul. Every opera gives us a glimpse into an interesting world that sorts itself out before the final curtain. Because a great opera requires a great story, opera plots are often based on literary works and usually performed in the same language the opera was written.

Aided by talented opera singers who use their extensive vocal training and knowledge of foreign languages to bring each story to life, opera has gained popularity over the years. You can see and hear the music from famous operas in many commercials, movies and cartoons.

Proof of opera’s enduring popularity can be demonstrated by the increasing number of opera companies around the world and thousands of performances each year of classical and new operas.

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OPERA FUN FACTS

• Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text (a libretto) and a musical score. The word opera means “work” in Italian.
• In opera the words are usually sung, not spoken.
• Operettas are light operas with spoken words, songs, and dances.
• Bravo: The Italian word shouted to show appreciation of a male performer.
• Brava: The word shouted to a female performer.
• Bravi: The word shouted when you just loved everyone!
• There are a total of 364 opera houses in 67 different countries around the world.
• The United States has 29 opera houses, the newest of which is the Winspear Opera House!

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IMPORTANT FACTS AND ACTIVITIES FOR MADAME BUTTERFLY

The school performances for 2009-2010 will be Giacomo Puccini’s Madame Butterfly. The opera tells the tragic story of Cio-Cio-San and naval officer Pinkerton.

Learn more about Madame Butterfly by exploring our interactive materials. Click on a quiz to begin!

An introduction to Madame Butterfly	Know Your Characters - Quiz 1
Know Your Characters - Quiz 2	Know the Story's Plot - Quiz 3
Act I Sequencing Events 1	Act I Sequencing Events 2
Act I Sequencing Events 3	Act II Sequencing Events 1
Act II Sequencing Events 2	Act II Sequencing Events 3