Meaning of Opera Buffa in Music
Opera buffa is a genre of comic opera that originated in Naples in the mid-18th century. It developed from the intermezzi, or interludes, performed between the acts of serious operas. The term "opera buffa" is Italian and translates to "comic opera" in English.
Characteristics of Opera Buffa
Opera buffa plots typically revolve around two groups of characters: a comic group of male and female personages and a pair (or more) of lovers. The dialogue in opera buffa is sung, and the genre is known for its use of comedic themes and contemporary settings.
Unlike opera seria, which deals with serious mythical subjects and often includes occasional comic scenes, opera buffa focuses primarily on comedy and humor. It usually consists of two main acts and incorporates predominantly comic themes and plots.
Historical Significance
Opera buffa played a significant role in the development of opera as an art form. It introduced a lighter and more accessible style of storytelling, appealing to a broader audience. The genre's emphasis on comedy and everyday characters provided a contrast to the more serious and grandiose opera seria.
One of the earliest and most well-known examples of opera buffa is Giovanni Battista Pergolesi's "La serva padrona" (1733; The Maid as Mistress). This opera is still regularly performed today and showcases the characteristics of the genre.
Examples of Opera Buffa
Opera buffa has been embraced by many composers throughout history. Alessandro Scarlatti and Nicola Logroscino were among the first Italian composers to use this genre in the early 18th century. Later, renowned composers like Verdi incorporated elements of opera buffa into their works, as seen in his composition "Falstaff" in 1893.
Other notable examples of opera buffa include Rossini's "The Barber of Seville" and Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro." These operas exemplify the genre's comedic nature and its ability to entertain audiences with humorous and relatable stories.
In summary, opera buffa is a genre of comic opera that emerged in Naples in the mid-18th century. It focuses on comedy, everyday characters, and contemporary settings. The genre has played a significant role in the development of opera and has been embraced by composers throughout history, resulting in timeless and entertaining works.
The Italian variety of comic opera.
See [Ger.] Singspiel.
In addition, you can familiarize yourself with the terms:
- [English] comic opera
- [English] ballad opera
- [French] opéra bouffe (m)
- [French] opéra comique (m)
- [German] heitere Oper (f)
- [German] komische Oper (f)
- [Italian] opera comica
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