British opera
Categories: United Kingdom-related stubs | Opera stubs | Classical music in the United Kingdom | Opera by nation | Opera in the United Kingdom
British opera is opera which was composed either in Britain or by a composer of British nationality. Although not often granted masterpiece status (with the exception of Dido and Aeneas) in comparison to Italian or German opera, British opera is usually distinguished by beautiful music and formalized structure.
| Music of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| History | Ethnicities | |
| Early popular music | England | |
| 1950s and 60s | Scotland | |
| 1970s | Wales | |
| 1980s | Ireland | |
| 1990s to present | Caribbean and Indian | |
| Genres: (Samples) Classical - Folk - Hip hop - Opera - Popular - Rock - Jazz | ||
| Timeline: 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 | ||
| Awards | Mercury | |
| Charts | UK Singles Chart, UK classical chart | |
| Festivals | Glastonbury Festival | |
| Media | NME - Melody Maker | |
| National anthem | "God Save the Queen" ("Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau", "Scotland the Brave", "Flower of Scotland") | |
| Regions and territories | ||
| Birmingham - Cornwall - Man - Manchester - Northumbria - Somerset
Anguilla - Bermuda - Cayman Islands - Gibraltar - Montserrat - Turks and Caicos - Virgin Islands | ||
Prominent British composers include Henry Purcell (the composer of Dido and Aeneas), George Frideric Handel (though he was born in Germany, he spent his composing life in London), and in the 20th century Benjamin Britten who specialized in producing chamber operas.
In the category of English-language operas, there are many British operas, but all operas typically sung in English (including American and Australian) are also included there.
"The British Opera" is a song by The Bee Gees, included on their 1969 album Odessa. It is an orchestral instrumental.