1. Tell a story

 

The script from which an opera is built is called a libretto, which means ‘little book’ in Italian.

For some operas, the story and the musical score have been written by the composer. Generally though, the story is written by a librettist whose writing has been inspired by real life experiences, mythology or could simply be fictional.

The history of opera abounds with love stories, comedies, dramas, fairytales, and historical epics.  That is, stories featuring all manner of dramatic or comedic developments, just like in plays or films.

 

 2.  Compose the music

 

A composer writes the pages of music for each instrument of the orchestra and for each of the voices. These pages are assembled together to make up the musical score which is then used by the orchestra conductor to direct the musical aspect of the opera.