World Opera Day: World Opera Day is celebrated across the world every year on 25 October. This day is dedicated to celebrating this wonderful blend of music, drama and stage arts. It aims to spread awareness about the rich history of opera and its positive impact on culture.

Special significance of the date 25th October

There is a special reason behind choosing the date of October 25 for World Opera Day. This day is the birthday of two great opera composers—Georges Bizet of France and Johann Strauss II of Austria.

• Georges Bizet is known for his world-famous opera ‘Carmen’.
• Johann Strauss II, known as the “King of the Waltz”, is famous for his operetta ‘Die Fledermaus’.

Honoring the legacy of these two greats, this date was declared a global celebration of the art of opera.

World Opera Day begins

World Opera Day was formally launched in 2019. It was established as a joint effort of the three major international opera organizations, Opera America, Opera Europa, and Opera Latinoamérica.

The main objective of celebrating this day is to promote the positive social value of arts and especially opera.

What is ‘Opera’ and its history?

Opera is a dramatic story presented entirely through music and singing. It is often considered one of the most complete art forms, as it incorporates many elements such as drama, music, singing, costumes, set design and dance.

• Origin: Opera was born in the city of Florence, Italy at the end of the 16th century. Early operas, such as Jacopo Peri’s ‘Daphne’, were inspired by ancient Greek plays.
• Development: Over time, composers like Claudio Monteverdi developed it further. In the 17th century, Venice became a major center of opera and it became a form of public entertainment.
• Major Composers: Great composers like Mozart, Verdi, Wagner, Puccini and Bizet took this art to new heights.

In opera, actors perform solo songs called ‘Aria’ or together with the ‘Chorus’ to carry the story forward.

importance of opera

Opera is not just entertainment; It is a powerful medium which:

• Develops tolerance and understanding.
• Connects people with deep emotions.
• Brings together the best works of literature and music on one stage.

World Opera Day is an opportunity for opera lovers, artists and music institutions around the world to bring this art to more people and connect the new generation with it.

Today, opera houses around the world host special performances, free workshops and online streaming events. You can also participate in the celebration of this art by joining the hashtag #WorldOperaDay.