Can you summarize how opera began?

The roots of opera can be traced back to ancient Greece, where the concept of music and drama intermingled in the form of tragedies. However, it was Jacopo Peri's Dafne (1597) that marks the creation of the first opera as we understand it today. It showcased the fusion of music, drama, poetry, and stagecraft.

From its inception in Italy, opera rapidly gained popularity and reached its peak during the Baroque period with luminaries like Handel and Vivaldi. It continued to evolve through the Classical era with notable composers such as Mozart before taking on romantic overtones with the likes of Verdi, Puccini, and Wagner in the 19th century.

Contemporary opera embraces various styles, blending traditional forms with modern influences, making it a dynamic art form that constantly reinvents itself.