Opera

Opera began during the Italian Renaissance as an effort to present drama with music in imitation of the ancient Greeks. Here is the story of opera, with Orfeo of Monteverdi (1607), then evolving after nearly two centuries into the classical style, of which Mozart was supreme master. By the late eighteenth century, comic and grand opera were highly developed art forms in Italy, France, and German-speaking Europe. Here are accounts of the great opera companies of Paris, Milan, Bayreuth, London, and New York. Prominent composers discussed include Rossini, Donizetti, Berlioz, Verdi, Gounod, Puccini -- and in our own century, Hindemith, Berg, Menotti, Britten, Barber, and others. Performers profiled include Jenny Lind, Enrico Caruso, Maria Callas, Luciano Pararotti, and others.