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.

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	Free music and video downloads of British Opera (711 words) Opera, in fact, reflected elements of classical Greek and Roman thought and practice, but had an equal debt to its own immediate predecessors and to the society in which it developed. It was Italian opera, however, that entertained the fashionable world in the 18 th century, in spite of the damaging effect of the anti- opera of John Gay, The Beggar's Opera. This was followed by a remarkable series of works, chamber operas and operas for the larger stage, culminating in Death in Venice, based on the novella by Thomas Mann. The Haymarket Opera House | British History Online (18645 words) In 1784 Parkyns MacMahon was secretary of the opera house and 'puff-master general to the fraternity of trustees'. The opera disputes of 1789–91 were commented on in several satirical prints of the time. 241) Mapleson presented opera in 1877 and 1878; when he took possession of the theatre 'there was not a single seat in the house, not a particle of paper on the walls; neither a bit of carpet, nor a chair, nor a table anywhere', and £6000 was spent on furnishings alone.
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