Opera music is one of the oldest forms of musical entertainment in the history of music. The word Opera is an Italian word that means labor. An opera show has always been associated with having a bit of acting, singing, costumes, music, and dancing. The first opera to ever be created is called Dafne; this piece was composed by Jacopo Peri. He has assistance with the piece by Giulio Caccini. The libretto was written by Ottavio Rinucchini and it was presented to the public in 1297.

The opera is a story about a Greek tragedy; and many of the following operas that were first created were based off of Greek story lines. This music was a very unique way to express a story, but nowadays there really aren’t too many people that are into opera so the history of it is beginning to fade away.

Dafne was a small story which was not performed by a large ensemble, but rather a smaller one.

The story that is being told is about Apollo falling in love with Daphne. The format of this opera was so well-liked when it was presented that a second version of it was requested. So they did, and the second piece was called L’Euridice which was performed for the very first time in 1600. Peri performed the lead role of the opera this time around.

Again, the layout for this piece was based during the Greek times when Orpheus falls madly in love with Euridice. Euridice was a nymph that was taken to the underworld and it was up to Orpheus to rescue her.

When these first operas were made available, it was the very first time for people to learn or recitatives. This is when the characters of the show have to express what they are thinking and feeling, but only every once so often during the show. As the mood of the singer changes, their singing voices change to match just what they are thinking so that the audience will have a better feel for their expression.

In most songs there are usually choruses and verses that are repeated, but not in opera. The play is moved along with the recitative.

There are various different opera pieces that are popular and until this very day there are operas available to go and see for those that are involved in theatre. However, as mentioned before not as many people are into opera like they used to be. You can search online for more facts about the most popular pieces of opera music that were performed.

One more well-known opera piece that many people know about today is called the Phantom of the Opera. A summary of it is a girl by the name of Christine that was left behind after her father and mother passed on. She became a part of an opera show and she had always been told stories by her father about the Angel of Music.

Before her father died he told her about the Angel of Music once again; that he would send the angel to her. She later thinks that the Angel of Music is the Phantom of the Opera who later falls in love with her and dies of a broken heart.