semi-opera
semi-opera. Term denoting type of Eng. Restoration drama in which there were extensive mus. episodes, similar to masques, perf. only by subsidiary characters. Form was developed by Betterton with The Tempest, 1674, an adaptation of Shakespeare's play with mus. by Humfrey, Locke, and others. Another example was King Arthur, text by Dryden (1684) and mus. by Purcell (1691). Purcell was also involved in Dioclesian (1690), The Fairy Queen (1692, rev. 1693), and The Indian Queen (1695). Only King Arthur was specifically devised as a semi-opera, the others being Betterton versions of earlier plays. Daniel Purcell, John Eccles, and D'Urfey also wrote semi- operas, but early in the 18th cent. the form was superseded by It. opera.
More From encyclopedia.com
John Anthony Quitman , Besch, Anthony (John Elwyn) (b London, 1924; d London, 2002). Eng. opera producer for Glyndebourne, ENO, Scottish Opera, NY City Opera, S. Francisco… Opera Seria , Skip to main content
opera seria
opera seria (It.). Serious opera. In the 17th and 18th cents., opera seria was the chief operatic genre, becoming ve… Sarah Caldwell , Caldwell, Sarah
Conductor Director
Sarah Caldwell, who was born in 1924, was the founder of the Boston Opera Group, now known as the Opera Company of… Comic Opera , comic opera Musico-dramatic work with some spoken dialogue and a light or amusing plot. The term is used indiscriminately and includes musical comedy… Samuel Ramey , Opera singer
With a mellifluous style and a charismatic way with the villainous roles that lie at the heart of the repertoire of the operatic bass, S… Ballad Opera , ballad opera. Opera with spoken dialogue and using popular tunes of the day provided with new words. Form originated in England with Allan Ramsay's T…
You Might Also Like
NEARBY TERMS
semi-opera