The first English opera occurred in Britain during an experimental performance under Charles II’s reign in the 1600s. This artistic genre has been captivating audiences ever since. The Royal Opera, English National Opera, Welsh National Opera, Scottish National Opera and Opera North are largely responsible for the opera we know and love today. Glyndebourne in Sussex is also revered for its country-house festival every summer.
The first official English opera was written by Sir William Davenant in 1656 and was entitled, ‘The Siege of Rhodes, Part 1.’ Thirty years afterwards, Henry Purcell released his ‘Dido and Aeneas’ opera to the public. One hundred years later, composers including Handel and Gluck treated Londoners to their Italian-style operas. In 1728, John Gay’s ‘The Beggar’s Opera’ rivalled these Italian versions in popularity. Gay’s opera was celebrated for its collection of folk ballads, which went onto inspiring a musical theatre movement. In 1732, Gay opened the first opera house in Convent Garden. Not only offering opera, it treated audiences to musical and vaudeville theatre.
The 20th century witnessed opera London flourish, with the capital attracting numerous opera stars and composers from across the world. Benjamin Britten’s popular dramatic works led to the establishment of Aldeburgh’s English Opera Group. After the Second World War, English opera – and opera in English – had become the heart of the establishment, with the public in strong support of the resident companies at the English National Opera and the Royal Opera.
In the 1950s, the artistic genre had taken on an international flavour as a result of pressure from opera stars who refused to learn their roles in English. Many operatic performances in Covent Garden remained in their original languages, which inspired international opera stars to perform in London, such as a young Luciano Pavarotti and Maria Callas.
In the 21st century, British opera continues to thrive, treating audiences to fresh interpretations of Mozart, Verdi and Wagner classics, as well as new-opera commissions.
Jenny Bailey is an arts writer who loves to write about opera London. Visit theartsdesk.com for more information.