10 Facts About... Opera

A happy accident

Opera was born in Europe kind of by accident. In the late 1500s in Florence, a group of musicians and poets called the Camerata wanted to recreate ancient Greek drama, and thinking that Greek plays were sung, accidentally invented what we now call opera – dramatic storytelling through music. The first full-length opera is often cited as Dafne (1597) but the first that is still performed is L’Orfeo (1607).

Total art

Opera is frequently described as the "ultimate" or "total" art form because it combines music, theatre, drama, dance and visual art. There’s a word for this in German – Gesamtkunstwerk.

You better Gesamtkunstwerk

By definition, opera is an artform that tells a story through music and singing, but the word opera simply means work in Italian. Opera is short for opera in musica – literally work in music.

Vocal control

Traditionally opera singers don’t use microphones to amplify their voices. Powerful operatic voice requires breath control, stamina and precision perform – think of them as like the marathon runners of music. However, the Angel's Bone composer Du Yun likes to challenge the conventions of the art form – and this opera will be fully amplified. Du Yun pushes the boundaries of the art form by blending classical and baroque music with electronic, punk and cabaret

Bring the drama

Operas are known for being OTT – but not without good reason. As they originated before modern media, they rely on exaggerated singing, acting and music to amplify intense human emotions to the back of large, unamplified theatres. If they weren’t overdramatic, they wouldn’t make an impact.

Venice brought opera to the masses

Opera originated behind closed doors as private entertainment for the elite. But in Venice in the 1630s, public opera houses opened where anyone could attend. During Carnival season, you could see multiple new operas in one week.

It’s not always as formal as you think

In the 1700s, opera houses had a more relaxed atmosphere and were lively social spaces. People chatted with friends, moved around, visited neighbouring boxes and even ate during performances. Audiences usually paid attention to the big solo performances, but between them the atmosphere could be noisy and relaxed.

The first opera stars were basically rock gods

In the 1600s and 1700s, opera singers were Europe’s biggest celebrities. One of the most famous, Farinelli, was said to hold a note for over a minute and once reportedly cured a king’s depression with his voice.

Opera isn’t trapped in the past

Contemporary composers are reimagining opera – incorporating multimedia and stories that speak to the present moment – proving opera still has its edge and urgency. Take Angel’s Bone, for example, which tackles complex contemporary subjects like human trafficking.

And it doesn’t live only in opera houses

Opera doesn’t need velvet seats and chandeliers. The emotional maximalism of opera with its heartbreak, spectacle and vocal acrobatics shows up in unexpected places. Take Catalan singer Rosalía channelling operatic intensity into club culture on her gamechanging song Berghain.

Opera is trending…

… But if you ask us it never went out of fashion. Operacore is being touted as one of 2026’s biggest fashion trends (possibly thanks to Rosalía). Think opulence, vintage glamour, dramatic silhouettes and materials like silk, lace and velvet. Opera glasses optional.

Angel's Bone premieres at Aviva Studios from 12 to 16 May 2026. Find out more here.

Lead image: ENO Akhnaten 2023, Anthony Roth Costanzo © Belinda Jiao