Introduction

OPERA: THEATRICAL FORM IN WHICH DRAMA IS CONVEYED THROUGH SONGS AND MUSIC . It is distinct from musical theatre. Opera is the key part of the Western Classical Music tradition. The Italian word “Opera” literally means “work”. Opera incorporates a number of performing arts such as acting, singing, instrumental music, and sometimes dance or ballet. This musical ensemble is led by a conductor. There are several different genres of opera. Two of the traditional ones, which date back to the 18th century are the Opera Seria and Opera Buffa.

HISTORY OF OPERA :

Opera originated in Italy at the end of the 16th century. Dafne by Jacopo Peri was the earliest composition considered as opera. It was composed around 1597, largely under the inspiration of an elite circle of literate Florentine humanists. Significantly, Dafne was an attempt to revive the classical Greek drama. Soon after its emergence in Italy, it quickly spread through the rest of Europe.

Heinrich Schutz in Germany, Jean Baptiste Lully in France, Henry Purcell in England, all helped to establish their national tradition of opera in the 17th century. Opera did not remain confined to the court audience for long. In 1637, the idea of a “season” of publicly attended operas supported by ticket sales emerged in Venice. Dafne, the foremost opera, however, is lost. A later work by Peri, Euridice, dating from 1600, is the first opera score to have survived till the present day. However, the first opera, still to be regularly performed is Claudio Monteverdi’s L’orfeo, composed for the Court of Mantua in 1607.

FEATURES OF OPERA :. Opera uses many of the elements of spoken theatre such as scenery, costumes, and acting. Generally, however, opera is distinguished from other dramatic forms by the importance of the song. Some of the salient features of opera are –

• Music is the main component of an opera. Notably, drama in an opera comes through the music.

• Operas are composed by opera composers and a composer score is used by the opera’s music conductor.

• The words of an opera are known as Libretto which literally means “Little Book”. The Libretto is the script that is sung by the soloist and choir. A Librettist is a person who writes the Libretto. A Libretto also includes stage directions and instructions.

• Soloists are singers that play a leading or secondary role in the opera plot. An opera also has a choir and many operas have scenes that can only be performed by trained ballet dancers.

The non-singing actors in opera are called Supernumeraries.

• An opera must have an audience. 

OPERA: THEATRICAL FORM IN WHICH DRAMA IS CONVEYED THROUGH SONGS AND MUSIC .

5 Famous Opera performances :

1. Firstly ,La traviata, by Verdi.
2. Secondly ,Carmen, by Bizet. It’s no surprise that this popular work is in the top three. This sexy opera’s many well known arias (“Habanera” and “Toreador Song”) have ensured its spot on the list for the foreseeable future. It is indeed very close to my heart. Some people (myself included) believe that Mozart, one of the earliest composers to explore the female psyche and develop strong female characters, advocated the inclusion of women into Masonic lodges in the final scene of the opera when Tamino and Pamina together enter the temple of wisdom, reason, and nature, thereby decreeing a new era of brotherhood.
3. Fourthly ,La bohème, by Puccini. Originally conducted by the great Arturo Toscanini, a champion of the works of Puccini, in 1896, this opera has gone on to secure its place in the canon. 
4. Fifthly ,Tosca, by Puccini.

5 MORE Famous Opera performances

1. Firstly , Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville), by Rossini. Finally a comedy on the list!
2. Secondly , Rigoletto, by Verdi. This was the first opera I ever saw live, so it has a very special place in my heart. This work truly deserves to be among the ranks of the most popular operas in the world.
3. Thirdly , Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), by Mozart. Composed in 1786, this opera is the first of the Mozart – Da Ponte operas (Mozart worked with librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte three times: Le nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni, and Così fan tutte). Just 30 years old when he composed this work, Mozart ends the opera with one of the themes he kept coming back to – the importance of forgiveness. Try watching the final scene as Count Almaviva asks Rosina for forgiveness without feeling touched. I haven’t been able to yet! Not enough, in my opinion.
   
4. However ,Don Giovanni, by Mozart. The second of the three Mozart – Da Ponte operas. This dramma giocoso is in stark contrast to the Commedia dell’arte-inspired opera buffa Le nozze. This opera is as psychological as Mozart gets, and the musical depictions of characters is phenomenal.
   
5. Finally , Madama Butterfly, by Puccini. Had enough Puccini yet? Never! Puccini cashed in on the fashionable orientalism with this one. Small cast, powerful arias, exoticism – a sure-fire path to success!

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10 most famous pop opera singers in the music world

Some say: “Opera singers are the professors and pop singers are the kindergarten teachers.” Well, Although it is difficult to compare the two genres because their purpose is so different, all of us know that the opera world demands higher vocal skills and more training than pop world. So any opera singer could sing a pop song effortlessly, but pop singers are better at producing for the masses.

What is pop opera?

Pop opera or operatic pop is a subgenre of pop music that is performed in an operatic singing style or a song, theme or motif from classical music stylized as pop. According to music historians, operatic pop songs became most prevalent during the early 1900s. Pop Opera has truly the power to transcend, and that’s largely thanks to the incredible force and beauty of the voices of Superb pop opera singers.

Also discover: Best opera songs ever List

Pop Opera Singers:

Who are the most famous pop opera singers in the world? From the stars currently dominating the pop opera stage, to those who shaped music history – Here’s a list of the most notable and famous pop opera singers in the world(includes videos), who have successfully mixed the two genres in one style called operatic pop or popera.

1. Andrea Bocelli

Andrea Bocelli is an Italian tenor, multi-instrumentalist, pop opera singer, and a songwriter with a long successful career in music spanning over 37 years. Bocelli is well known for his beautiful voice, famous for songs such as Time to Say Goodbye duet with Sarah Brightman and more recently working with Ed Sheeran on hit single Perfect.

The opera singer is one of the most exciting voices in contemporary opera during the late 20th century. Tragically, Andrea lost his sight after a football accident when he was just 12.

2. Sarah Brightman

Sarah Brightman is an English classical crossover soprano singer, actress, songwriter and dancer with a big following in North America and Japan. She is among the most prominent performers, with worldwide sales of more than 30 million records and 2 million DVDs.

She has sung with quality and distinction in numerous venues.

3. Josh Groban

Any list of pop opera singers must include Josh Groban. He is an established musician, singer, actor, record producer and songwriter. Initially, The stylish baritone was interested in acting but later moved to singing as his voice developed.

As of 2012, the 38-years-old singer had sold over 25 million records worldwide. However He made a successful duet with with Celine Dion, Andrea Bocelli….Josh Groban – You Are Loved [Don’t Give Up] (Video)Josh Groban – You Are Loved [Don’t Give Up] (Video)

4. Katherine Jenkins

Katherine Jenkins is a super successful opera singer, at the top of her game. She is a Welsh mezzo-soprano (vocalist), 40 years old. She is a popular classical-crossover singer who performs across a spectrum of operatic arias, popular songs, musical theatre and hymns.

5. Il Divo

Il Divo has always stood out for its peculiar mix of opera and pop in songs of different genres. In addition They are a multi-national classical crossover male vocal group.

The pop opera group formed in 2004. Since then,  IL Divo has sold over 30 million records throughout its career and performed before personalities like as for

6. Emma Shapplin

Emma Shapplin is a 45 year old French French soprano Singer. She sings a unique genre, which blends opera with rock and pop notes. It rose to the top of the charts worldwide, often overtaking albums by the likes of Céline Dion and Madonna.

n ~ Spente le Stelle (1997)Emma Shapplin ~ Spente le Stelle (1997)

7. Luciano Pavarotti (1935 – 2007)

Nobody can forget the beauty of this great Italian operatic tenor’s voice. Luciano Pavarotti, the bearded opera legend, was among the truly great opera stars of the 20th century. He was as instantly recognizable around the world and his voice touched millions.

Related playlist: Pavarotti duets

Also read: Story behind Caruso – Luciano Pavarotti

8- Jose Carreras

Spanish tenor, Jose Carreras is known for his performance in the operas of Puccini and Verdi.

However He gave his first performance at age eight , singing ‘La Donna e Mobile’ on national radio; by 1972 he had won the Giuseppe Verdi Competition.

9- Dmitri Hvorostovsky

Silver-Maned Baritone From Siberia, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, began his career in 1995. His approach was not only to present a song with great musicality but to live it intensely.
His emotional outflow while he is singing touches all audience.

10- Celtic Woman

Celtic Woman is an all-female Irish musical group with a repertoire that ranges from traditional Celtic tunes to modern songs.