However, later on, operas were not necessarily always sung in Italian. When opera was in its infancy, the language used was Italian. In other words, Italian provided the perfect context for singing. This combination of sounds makes the language very smooth, musical, and melodic. On the other hand, it has just seven vowel sounds. An oxytone is a word with a stress on the last syllable, like the words “corrECT” and “rewARD” in English. You’ll find words like “tempo”, “allegro”, “crescendo”, and “adagio”, which are all Italian.Īnother factor for choosing Italian had to do with the actual sounds of Italian.įor instance, Italian, in general, has no oxytones. Think about the terminology used in opera. One of the reasons for choosing Italian over other languages was because of its connection to music. Since now you have some knowledge about the history of opera, let’s look at what language opera is spoken in.Īs it originated in Italy, the language of choice for composers was Italian.Įven legendary composers such as George Frideric Handel and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart preferred to write their pieces in this language. However, unfortunately, most of the work is lost.Įuridice from 1600, also by Jacopo Peri, is the oldest surviving opera.
The aim was to revive Greek drama, which he considered to be a classic.Īccording to the Camerata de Bardi (or Florentine Camerata), which was the group that wrote the piece, Greeks sang the chorus part of their dramas. His work, Dafne, was performed for the first time in 1598. Jacopo Peri, a composer and singer, was the first to compose an opera. To understand what language opera is sung in, it is essential you know about the origin of opera. Let’s find out what language opera is sung in. This way, the next time you go for a performance, you’ll have a better understanding of this art. Whether you’re new to opera or want to dig deeper into this world, learning about the language is helpful. And, after all, music is excellent at conveying emotions, feelings, and sometimes even adrenaline.Īs opera involves music, and music involves voice and words, you might be wondering what language opera unfolds in. Opera is unique because it tells a story through music.
It will definitely make you have a greater appreciation for it. Taking a deep dive into opera is a great way to enjoy this exquisite art.
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