--- title: What is Opera - A Brief Overview description: "What is opera? Beginning in the 1600s, the grandeur and complexity of opera gives it the nickname \"the queen of the arts.\"" image: https://friendsoftheopera.org/hubfs/Performance-trovatore-Il-Giuseppe-Verdi-2011.webp --- [Skip to content](https://friendsoftheopera.org/blog/what-is-opera-a-brief-overview#main-content) [![friends-of-the-opera-logo](https://friendsoftheopera.org/hs-fs/hubfs/friends-of-the-opera-logo.png?width=105&height=100&name=friends-of-the-opera-logo.png)](https://fotogr.org/) - [Home](https://friendsoftheopera.org/) - [About](https://friendsoftheopera.org/about) - [Membership](https://friendsoftheopera.org/membership) - Events Show submenu for Events - [Opera Event Calendar](https://friendsoftheopera.org/west-michigan-opera-events) - [Trips](https://friendsoftheopera.org/trips) - [Mozart's Birthday Party](https://friendsoftheopera.org/mozart-birthday-party) - Education Show submenu for Education - [Blog](https://friendsoftheopera.org/blog) - [Arias and Insights](https://friendsoftheopera.org/arias-and-insights) - [What is Opera?](https://friendsoftheopera.org/what-is-opera) - [Contact](https://friendsoftheopera.org/contact) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Home](https://friendsoftheopera.org/) - [About](https://friendsoftheopera.org/about) - [Membership](https://friendsoftheopera.org/membership) - Events Show submenu for Events - [Opera Event Calendar](https://friendsoftheopera.org/west-michigan-opera-events) - [Trips](https://friendsoftheopera.org/trips) - [Mozart's Birthday Party](https://friendsoftheopera.org/mozart-birthday-party) - Education Show submenu for Education - [Blog](https://friendsoftheopera.org/blog) - [Arias and Insights](https://friendsoftheopera.org/arias-and-insights) - [What is Opera?](https://friendsoftheopera.org/what-is-opera) - [Contact](https://friendsoftheopera.org/contact) Oct 1, 2023 2:01:00 PM # What is Opera - A Brief Overview [Friends of The Opera](https://friendsoftheopera.org/blog/author/friends-of-the-opera) Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://friendsoftheopera.org/blog/what-is-opera-a-brief-overview) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://friendsoftheopera.org/blog/what-is-opera-a-brief-overview) [Twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://friendsoftheopera.org/blog/what-is-opera-a-brief-overview) [pinterest-p icon](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https://friendsoftheopera.org/blog/what-is-opera-a-brief-overview) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://friendsoftheopera.org/blog/what-is-opera-a-brief-overview) ![Performance-trovatore-Il-Giuseppe-Verdi-2011](https://friendsoftheopera.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Performance-trovatore-Il-Giuseppe-Verdi-2011.webp?width=280&height=186&name=Performance-trovatore-Il-Giuseppe-Verdi-2011.webp)Beginning in the 1600s, opera is a mixture of music, poetry, visual art (set and costumes), and grand spectacle leading it to be both the most elaborate and expensive of all art forms. Over the centuries, opera has required the support of wealthy patrons including nobility, companies, and individuals and families. Opera is the culmination and convergence of so many art forms and artisans, giving it the nickname “the queen of the arts” – it takes an orchestra, singers, production crew members, set builders, costume designers, volunteers, and countless others many months in preparation before a production to ensure it’s a success. One of the things to note about opera over other art forms, such as rock and roll, musical theatre, and more is its lack of amplification. The vocal and instrumental musicians project based on their instrument’s own natural ability with no microphones or speakers. 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