Opera

Drama sung end to end with orchestra, born in Florence from an attempt to resurrect Greek tragedy.

Core Principles & Analysis

• The Florentine Camerata’s experiments produced the first operas around 1600.
• Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo (1607) is the earliest opera still in standard repertory.
• Wagner rebuilt the form as continuous music drama, dissolving the aria-recitative seam.

Specifications & Metrics

• ERA: 1600s – present