Listening to Opera (Or at least trying to!)

Opera for new or amateur listeners seems to always be a final frontier. For most uninformed people, opera can seem like a bunch of people wearing huge wigs, squallering in some undecipherable language (sometimes even our own!) This article will serve as an introduction and hopefully a jumping off point into the fantastic world of opera.

Opera was birthed out of the Baroque Era (circa 1600 - circa 1750), in Italy when a bunch of rich and/or intelligent thinkers got together and discussed the arts of ancient Greece. This was known as the Florentine Camerata. What resulted was a recreation of ancient Greek theater with the modern music of the time. The operas from this time deal mostly with Greek mythology, so many of the plots are set in other-worldly realms. Some famous composers of opera during the Baroque Era are: Claudio Monteverdi, G.F. Handel, Henry Purcell, Jean Baptiste Lully and Antonio Vivaldi.

Traditional opera follows the format of recitativo and aria. A recitative is a speech-like tune that is usually unmetered. A small accompaniment of instruments (usually just harpsichord and cello, sometimes all strings) supports the singer as they describe factual information about what has just happened. Recitative can also be a dialogue between characters. The aria that follows usually (but not always) deals with more emotional qualities of the character. The aria is the centerpiece for the vocalist, showcasing their abilities.

Many people are deterred from opera because of the actual sound that the singer is producing. This tone is governed by the need to fill immensely large opera houses with a loud sound coming from the singer, without the use of microphones. A singer who is using healthy technique will create space where their soft palate is (very much like how a yawn feels). This space, coupled with healthy diaphragmatic breathing, results in a resonant and focused sound that, after many years of practice, will fill an entire hall. Singers coached in opera are also taught how to sustain their phrases with correct intonation and good tone quality, a technique known as bel canto singing, or “beautiful singing”.

There is much to be discussed of the inner-workings of opera, that cannot be stated in a small blog. Here is a scene from Mozart’s opera Don Giovanni. In this scene we see the main character, Don Giovanni, attempting to seduce a young woman. Research the plot at bit; it’s very funny and very serious at the same time. Take a look at the subtitles to understand exactly what’s going on. If you enjoy this, try viewing the whole opera, or perhaps a scene from another one! Keep in mind: opera is live theater, the best way to see it is to go to the actual performance!