The word "opera" comes from the Italian word for "work" (which means it is also related to the word "opus").
Dafne by Jacopo Peri is the earliest composition that is considered opera. This work was written around 1597.
While these theatrical stagings were beginning to appear in Italy, similar stagings were also being performed in France, England, and Germany.
I always find it interesting that while many people seem to dislike opera, it does show up in popular culture more frequently than we might be aware. This past week I was watching some episodes from Star Trek: Voyager. And, I had to chuckle over this episode where the holographic doctor makes an effort to learn opera and can be heard singing snatches of Puccini's La Boheme.
Leave your comments and impressions below. And, don't forget to read the third installment for next week.
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You just finished reading Essential Opera - Reading Together - Part 2.
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