The early history and development of opera
The origins of opera, its development from royal entertainments in 17th-century Italy and France and the early history of opera in the UK.
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The History of Opera in England
The story of opera in England in the 19th and 20th century, how it changed over this time, important opera houses, famous singers and the people who produced the operas.
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18th-Century Opera
The 18th century saw an explosion of opera across Europe. Opera houses were built in all the major European cities and new operas were commissioned for each season. The Kin…
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19th-Century Opera
A succession of great divas dominated opera from the mid 19th century and no male singer could match their popularity. Jenny Lind, Adelina Patti and Nellie Melba were all s…
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Janet Baker
Janet Baker (1933–) is an English mezzo-soprano. In opera, most adulation is given to the tenors and sopranos, for whom the most flamboyant roles are written. Janet Baker w…
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Maria Callas
Maria Anna Sophie Cecilia Kalogeropoulos (1923–77), known to the world as Maria Callas, was a soprano opera singer, one of the most famous of the 20th century.
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Enrico Caruso
'The Great Caruso' or ‘King of Tenors' was born in Naples in 1873. He was his parents' 18th child and the first to survive infancy. Music was his escape from the wretched r…
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Feodor Chaliapin
One of the greatest opera singers of all time, Feodor Chaliapin was born in Russia in 1873 and became famous in the early 20th century singing Russian opera brought to Euro…
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Plácido Domingo
Plácido Domingo, tenor opera singer, was born in Madrid in 1941. Domingo has sung all over the world and is a major recording star. With Luciano Pavarotti and José Carreras…
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Luciano Pavarotti
Luciano Pavarotti (1935–2007) was probably the most famous opera singer in the world and is known to millions who have never set foot inside an opera house.
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Joan Sutherland
Joan Sutherland (1926–2010) was one of the world's most famous soprano opera singers, particularly praised for her bel canto roles.
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Prompt book for 'Radamisto' by George Friedrich Handel
View high-resolution, zoomable facsimile of prompt book for the opera Radamisto by George Friedrich Handel. This printed libretto, annotated in two different hands, is the …
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D'Oyly Carte Prompt Books
D'Oyly Carte Opera Company prompt books used in Savoy theatre productions of Gilbert and Sullivan operas in the late 19th century. Prompt books were used by theatre stage m…
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Cecil Beaton: The New York Years
The definitive book on the legendary photographer's life in New YorkCity, with many never-before-seen images and reminiscences by hisclosest friends a…
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