How to Listen to and Understand Great Music, 3rd Edition Season 1 Episode 11 Baroque Opera, Part 1

We discuss the evolution of opera from the late Renaissance through the early Baroque. Believing that ancient Greek drama was entirely sung, members of the Florentine Camerata sought to create their own music dramas, and, in doing so, they invented opera around the year 1600. These lectures discuss two early operas and demonstrates their musical content.