<u>Opera is a theatre show that is accompanied by music and the singers singing their lines in a specific manner. </u>Because of its specific type of singing, performing and music, it is different than musical theatre.
It is thought that the first opera was written and performed in 1605 by Claudio Monteverdi (<em>Orfeo</em>). It slowly started to spread over Europe, especially Italy. During the 1700s two specific types of opera emerged – opera buffa (comedic opera) and opera seria (serious opera). <u>Opera rose in fame more and more and was sidely famous at this time.</u>
Today, opera is part of the musical and theatre tradition of Europe.
