This site introduces unknown Emanuel Bach (C. P. E. Bach). This English version was translated from Japanese one by ChatGPT.
ChatGPT4o writes as follows (please note that it may not be accurate):
Opera in the 18th century underwent significant development from the late Baroque period into the Classical era. During this time, two main forms of opera evolved. “Opera seria” primarily catered to aristocratic tastes with its grand and solemn works, with prominent composers such as Alessandro Scarlatti and Handel. In contrast, “opera buffa” focused on popular humor and everyday life, gaining particular popularity in Italy from the mid-18th century onward.
Christoph Willibald Gluck led the “opera reform” movement in the 1760s, striving for a balance between music and drama. This reform reevaluated the formalized aspects of “opera seria” and emphasized simplicity and dramatic expression. Additionally, Mozart expanded the form of “opera buffa” with works like The Marriage of Figaro and Don Giovanni, introducing rich emotional music that revealed new possibilities for opera.
In German-speaking regions, a form called “Singspiel” emerged, characterized by its light style incorporating spoken dialogue. This style later influenced Beethovenʼs Fidelio. In France, the “opéra comique” developed, sharing similarities with the German Singspiel but evolving uniquely within French musical traditions.
By the end of the 18th century, Italian, French, and German operas mutually influenced each other, resulting in diverse styles that laid the foundation for Romantic opera in the 19th century.