The Transition from Opera Seria to Mozartean Opera in the Light of the Enlightenment

The Transition from Opera Seria to Mozartean Opera in the Light of the Enlightenment

The transition from “Opera Seria” to “Mozartean Opera” in the light of the Enlightenment

“Opera is a form of musical and dramatic work in which singers convey the drama” [and] “is part of the Western classical music tradition.” (“Opera”) Since there have to be a music and a theatre together at the same time for performing an opera, consequently there has to be a topic for acting which is accompanied by an orchestra that played a suitable topical music. These topics usually deal with the current situations of the country that they were created in. Since opera culture started to develop itself in Europe especially in Italy, it was influenced by the important historical events that was happening at that time, a lot. The thing which is needed to develop opera culture is developing opera composers’ and sketch writers’ intellectual level. There, the Age of Enlightenment answered this purpose.

Writers and composers became educated and enlightened people because they were influenced by the enlightenment principles. They gave importance for their self development and they followed the events and could criticize the situations in society logically. The Age of Enlightenment did not change only the society but their social life, too. There were changes in the construction of music and there was a reform for opera.

From 1710 to 1770s , Italy was very important and dominant in Europe, the operas which were performed were very alike since their subjects were similar. All of them were serious and dramatic, so they were generally called “Opera Seria” or “Dramma per Musica” or “Melodramma Serio” which were all important