| Operatic pop | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Popera, pop-opera |
| Stylistic origins | |
| Cultural origins | Early 20th century, United States |
| Other topics | |
Operatic pop,pop-opera orpopera is a subgenre ofpop music that is performed in anoperatic singing style or a song, theme or motif fromclassical music stylized as pop. The subgenre is often performed byclassical crossover singers and acts, although that field is much broader in the types of music it encompasses. "Popera" performances, such as those by theThree Tenors, have reached larger audiences and brought in greater profits than typical for operatic music.[1]
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According to music historians, operatic pop songs became most prevalent with the rise ofTin Pan Alley musicians during the early 1900s.[2] One influence was the large influx of Italian immigrants to the United States who popularized singers such asEnrico Caruso and inspired the creation of "novelty songs" using Italian dialect. The songs often used operatic repertory "to make a satirical or topical point".[2] Popularized by AmericanVaudeville, musical comedies, jazz and operettas, examples includeIrving Berlin'sThat Opera Rag,Billy Murray'sMy Cousin Caruso andLouis Armstrong's riffs onRigoletto andPagliacci.[2] The subgenre subsequently dwindled after the 1920s but revived during therock music era with albums such asThe Who'sTommy andQueen'sA Night at The Opera.[2]
In 1986, operatic tenorLuciano Pavarotti had a hit with theLucio Dalla song "Caruso", which helped to spark a flourishing of operatic pop.[3] Other singers, includingAndrea Bocelli,Josh Groban, andKatherine Jenkins, also recorded the number.[3] Bocelli, in particular, soon became a leading representative of the subgenre[3][4] while hisfamous duet partner, British sopranoSarah Brightman, also gravitated considerably towards this combination of opera and pop music.[5] In the 2000s, singers and singing groups devoted primarily to operatic pop built on this renewed success. Groups likeIl Divo andAmici Forever have achieved popularity with the mix of "contemporary pop with operatic style" characteristic of operatic pop.[6]
