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date: 11 February 2025

operalocked

operalocked

  • Michael Ewans

Summary

Opera is one of the most important sites for the reception of Greek and Roman literature, history, and myth. Significant operas have been based on classical topics from the invention of the medium (Peri’s Eurydice, 1600) through to the present day. Important composers of classically based operas include Monteverdi, Handel, Gluck, Cherubini, Berlioz, Richard Strauss, Tippett, Henze and Turnage.

Subjects

  • Reception

Updated in this version

Article and bibliography updated to reflect current scholarship. Discography and links to opera performances added.

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