Classical Opera Music for Your Ears

Listen to the best classical opera music right here. We have a wide selection of opera music from different composers for you to choose from.

Introduction

Classical opera is a form of theatre in which singing and instrumental music is combined to tell a story. It emerged in the seventeenth century and was popular until the nineteenth century. The two most important elements of classical opera are the music and the libretto (the words of the opera).

Classical opera is different from other forms of opera because it is usually based on historical events or classical literature. For example, many operas are based on stories from Greek mythology or the plays of William Shakespeare. Classical operas are also usually longer than other types of opera, with some lasting for several hours.

Opera composers wrote both the music and lyrics for their operas. The libretto (the words of an opera) was often written in verse form, so that it could be set to music more easily. In some cases, however, the composer wrote both the libretto and the music.

The first ever classical opera was Jacopo Peri’s ‘Dafne’, which was performed in Florence in 1598. However, the best-known classical opera is George Frideric Handel’s ‘Messiah’, which was first performed in Dublin in 1742.

The Different Types of Classical Opera Music

There are several types of classical opera music ranging from the early Baroque period to the present day. The different types of opera music include Italian opera, French opera, German opera, and Russian opera. Each type of opera has its own unique style and approach to the music.

Bel canto

The bel canto style of opera flourished in the early 1800s in Italy and spread to other countries such as France. This type of opera is known for its beautiful singing and focuses on the solo voice rather than the chorus. Some of the most famous bel canto operas include “La Wally” by Alberto Franchetti and “Lucia di Lammermoor” by Gaetano Donizetti.

Verismo
Verismo opera was popular in the late 1800s and is characterized by its realistic stories and settings. These operas often depicted tragic stories of love and loss set in poorer, working-class neighborhoods. Some well-known verismo operas include “Pagliacci” by Ruggero Leoncavallo and “Cavalleria Rusticana” by Pietro Mascagni.

Romantic Opera
The romantic era of opera began in the early 1800s and lasted until around 1900. This type of opera is characterized by its passionate storylines, often involving tales of forbidden love, betrayal, and revenge. Some well-known romantic operas include “La Traviata” by Giuseppe Verdi, “Madama Butterfly” by Giacomo Puccini, and “Carmen” by Georges Bizet .

Verismo

Verismo is a type of classical opera music that was popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This style of opera is characterized by its realistic portrayal of human emotions and everyday life, as opposed to the more idealized portrayals found in other types of opera. Some of the most famous verismo operas include Giuseppe Verdi’s “Otello” and Giacomo Puccini’s “La Bohème.”

Wagnerian

Named for the composer Richard Wagner, this style of opera is known for its grand scale, large orchestras, and complex harmonies. Wagnerian operas often tell a continuous story that unfolds over several hours or even days.

The Different Styles of Classical Opera Music

There are several different styles of classical opera music. The four most popular styles are Italian opera, French opera, German opera, and English opera. Each style has its own unique characteristics. Let’s take a look at each one in more detail.

Comic opera

Comic opera is a type of opera in which the songs and dialogue are about everyday life and love. The tone of these works is usually light-hearted and fun, with plenty of humor. Some well-known examples of comic opera include Gioachino Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville,” Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro,” and Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Mikado.”

Grand opera

Grand opera is a genre of 19th-century opera generally characterized by large-scale sets and spectacles, elaborate costumes, and confirmed operatic traditions. The term is particularly applied to certain French operas created in the early part of the century—notably those by Giacomo Meyerbeer and Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida,Don Carlos, andLa forza del destino—which contain conspicuous dramatic action spread over a grandiose musical canvas.The royal houses of Europe played an important role in the development of grand opera as both Louis XIV of France and England’s King George IV were patrons of this new genre. France’s Opéra-Comique also fostered the creation of grand opera; in 1828, its director Napoleon III asked Giacomo Meyerbeer to compose Le prophète especially for his theatre.

Lyric opera

Lyric opera is a type of opera in which the expressive singing is accompanied by a storytelling that is usually emotional in nature. The stories are often set in romantic times and places, and they often deal with themes of love, loss, and betrayal. Many of the most popular operas, such as Carmen and La Bohème, fall into this category.

The Different Composers of Classical Opera Music

Although there are many different types of opera music, all of it can be traced back to one source- Italy. Italy is considered the birthplace of opera, and the first opera was performed in Venice in the year 1637. Since then, opera has evolved and changed, but it still remains a popular form of entertainment.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

One of the most prolific and renowned composers of all time, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria in 1756. He began playing the piano at age four and composing by age five. By his early teens, he was performing all over Europe as a virtuoso pianist and had already composed several works. At age 18, he became a court musician for the Archbishop of Salzburg, but chafed at the restrictive environment and yearned for something more cosmopolitan. So, in 1781, he set off for Vienna where he hoped to find success as a composer and performer.

Mozart did find great success in Vienna, composing some of his most famous works while he was there including The Marriage of Figaro (1786), Don Giovanni (1787), and Così fan tutte (1790). His operas were hugely popular with audiences and critics alike. However, despite his many successes, Mozart always struggled with money problems and was plagued by ill health throughout his life. He died suddenly in 1791 at the age of 35, leaving behind a legacy of some of the most beautiful and beloved music ever written.

Giuseppe Verdi

Opera is a form of theatre in which music has a leading role and the parts are taken by singers. Giuseppe Verdi was an Italian Romantic composer who wrote operas. He is mainly known for three of his works: “Rigoletto” (1851), “Il trovatore” (1853) and “La traviata” (1853).

Born on October 10th, 1813 in a small village called Le Roncole in the Duchy of Modena and Reggio,Verdi’s talents were recognised early on by his teacher, Antonio Bairdini. Bairdini convinced Verdi’s father to allow the young composer to study at the Philharmonic School in Busseto. It was here that Verdi studied under Vincenzo Lavigna, maestro di cappella at San Bartolomeo church.

In 1836,Verdi wrote his first opera, “Oberto”. It was not a success and was followed by a series of operas that were also failures. Undaunted, he continued to compose and finally achieved success with “Nabucco” in 1842. This was followed by “I Lombardi alla prima crociata” and “Ernani”, two more popular operas.

With each successive opera, Verdi’s mastery of the form increased and his style became more personal. This is evident in such works as “Macbeth” (1847), “La battaglia di Legnano” (1849), “Rigoletto” (1851), “Il trovatore” (1853) and “La traviata” (1853). These are now considered some of the finest examples of Italian opera.

In 1859,Verdi wrote one of his most beloved operas, “Un ballo in maschera”. Set in Boston during the time of the American Revolution, it tells the story of Emilio Gobbi, a politician who is persuaded by his wife to embark on an affair with Amelia Curtis, wife of the British ambassador. When Gobbi is exposed and forced to flee Boston, he returns disguised as a Swede and plots revenge against Amelia’s husband.

The end of Verdi’s life was marked by ill health but he continued to compose until his death on January 27th, 1901 at the age of 87. His final opera, “Falstaff”, was completed just months before he died and is widely considered to be one of his best works.

Richard Wagner

A German born composer, Richard Wagner is credited with developing the concept of the modern opera. He was a controversial figure in his time and his music was banned for many years after his death. However, his operas have since become some of the most popular in the classical repertoire.

Wagner’s operas are characterized by their long, complex musical passages and lavish stage productions. His most famous works include The Flying Dutchman, Tannhäuser, Lohengrin, and the four-opera cycle The Ring of the Nibelung.

Conclusion

In conclusion, classical opera music is a beautiful and unique art form that has been enjoyed by people for centuries. If you have never given it a try, we highly recommend doing so. It is truly an experience like no other.