German Opera

German opera, which frolicked into existence in the 16th century with its roots firmly planted in the Renaissance, took a few centuries to emerge as a serious contender on the musical scene, thanks to composers like Wagner and his grand ambitions. Characterised by dramatic narratives, powerful orchestration, and enough emotion to fuel a small soap opera, it often leaves audiences pondering their life choices, usually in a very operatic way. Fun fact: the Germans take their opera so seriously that Wagner’s works are often staged with the kind of reverence usually reserved for ancient religious texts.