… Opera …

Opera Across The Globe

At the end of the XVI century Opera was born in Italy during the Renaissance Period. However there is some discussion here claiming Greek roots as the Greeks fused music song dance and poetry as early as the XII century.

Since the renaissance period the expansion of opera across the globe has been gigantic with opera houses cropping up in places as far as Russia, Argentina, Australia, the USA and through Europe.

A great introduction to opera is available here.

Types of Opera

Grand Opera
Opera Bouffe or Buffa
Opera Comique
Singspiel
Operetta
Opera -Ballet
Opera Balady
Opera Seria

And many more exist!

Voice

Perhaps the marvel of the opera is the ability to fill a theatre by voice alone without the use of a microphone. Although opera houses are especially designed to amplify sound.

The range of voice is classified into the following categories: soprano, mezzo-soprano, contralto, tenor, counter-tenor, baritone and bass, the latter four encompassing male voices and the first three female.

Opera and Kids

Some extraordinary children have proved their talent with their operatic voices. Amira Willinghagen, Jackie Evancho and Laura Bretan are just some of the girls recognised across the world.

Many operas have been adapted and created for the little ones such as Hansel and Gretel – Humperdinck, L’Enfant et Les Sortilèges – Maurice Ravel and The Adventures of Pinocchio – Jonathon Dove.