2. Early English Opera Henry Purcell John Blow William D’Avenant Composers First Opera Venus and Adonis Dido and Aeneas The Siege of Rhodes Pre-Opera English Masques Music in Dramas Information Author Resources Concept Map Exit
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4. John Blow (1649-1708) John Blow was the teacher of Henry Purcell. Blow was the organist at Westminster Abbey for 11 years. He was also a private musician of James II. Blow is often credited for having composed the first English opera. Whether or not this is true, he like Purcell undoubtedly played a major role in the establishment of the English Opera Exit
5. William D’Avenant Unlike Blow and Purcell, D’Avenant was not a composer; he was a playwright. D’Avenant Had written several English plays and had collaborated with several different composers to produce a great number of Masques before they were outlawed by the Puritan ruled Parliament. Though he is not often credited, he decisively wrote the first English Opera. Exit
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10. Venus and Adonis Venus and Adonis was written in 1683 by John Blow. Both the libretto and the music survive today. However, many experts argue over the classification of this work. Some experts call Venus and Adonis a masque and others call it a semi-opera. The New Grove names it as the earliest surviving English opera. This work greatly influenced Purcell to attempt his own opera. Cont. to Dido and Aeneas Exit
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12. The Siege of Rhodes The Siege of Rhodes is undoubtedly the earliest attempt at creating an English opera in the French/Italian style. The opera was mostly written by armature musicians who collaborated with D’Avenant to produce the work in 1656. None of the music from the production has survived. Exit
13. Author My name is Thomas Hales I am currently a student at Grand Valley State University. I am majoring in vocal music education. Some day I hope to get a job as a high school choir director. If you wish to contact me, my email address is [email_address] . Exit
