Last Updated on: 25th January 2023, 09:26 am
Are you planning a trip to Europe and want to try something unique that’s actually a large part of the area’s culture? Are you tired of the same old tourism haunts and crave something real and moving to be a part of? The opera may just be that perfect experience.
But what do you know about the opera? Here are 5 things you probably didn’t know about this iconic form of art.
Opera has a Long History Behind it
Beginning at the end of the 16th century, it’s awe-inspiring to see this art form continue to endure over hundreds of years. And when you consider the changes in art, the economy, and even the wars that opera venues have endured, it makes a live performance feel even more special. When you go to the opera in Rome, you’re a part of something timeless. And with so much emotion and passion behind the performances, you’re bound to feel every last ounce of that history and passion on stage.
Opera Singers Don’t use Microphones
Opera singers are traditionally trained to use their voices to create sound energy that travels across many sound frequencies. By singing at a unique frequency, opera singers can actually project their singing over full orchestras, and rapturous applause, and make sure that the sound travels loud enough to reach even the farthest audience member.
And because of the way amphitheatres and other European historic venues have been built, the acoustics allow music and vocals to travel and fill the area with rich sound from front to back, top to bottom. And while modern advancements like live recordings or performances in larger-scale halls can sometimes call for a live mic, this incredible skill is a rarity in other art forms.
Beethoven Composed an opera
Ludwig van Beethoven, possibly the greatest and most influential composer of all time, created an opera. It took him eleven years to write and finish, during which time he revised and polished it to become a surprisingly tender and enlightening piece. It was finally presented to the public, under the title of Fidelio, in 1805.
Opera Boasted the Longest Applause in History for almost 20 Years
In 1991, a rabid and appreciative Vienna audience captivated by Plácido Domingo’s performance in Verdi’s Otello applauded for a staggering hour and twenty minutes. This incredible feat, including over one hundred curtain calls, set a new world record for the longest-ever applause, an accomplishment that was only beaten in 2019.
Opera is for Everyone!
Don’t be fooled by any misconceptions about what opera is and the kind of people who attend a live opera performance. Opera is a celebration of love, life, and art, welcoming people from all walks of life, classes, and cultures to come together and be a part of something magical.
Now that you know a little more about this historic and moving art form, all that’s left is for you to find that perfect venue and performance to sit back and let hundreds of years of history captivate you! Who knows, you may even find yourself hooked on a beautiful new adventure that you return to time and time again.