Opera Courses and Certifications

18th-Century Opera: Handel & Mozart

9 ratings at edX

Study Baroque and Classical opera through Handel’s Giulio Cesare and Mozart’s Don Giovanni

• edX
• 5 weeks, 3-4 hours a week
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

First Nights - Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo and the Birth of Opera

10 ratings at edX

Learn about Claudio Monteverdi's L'Orfeo , one of the first operas ever written.

• edX
• 3 weeks, 3-5 hours a week
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

19th-Century Opera: Meyerbeer, Wagner, & Verdi

1 review

Learn the music and cultural impact of three canonical operas from the 1800s: Les Huguenots , Das Rheingold , and Otello.

• edX
• 6 weeks, 3-5 hours a week
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

The Beauty of Kunqu Opera

206 ratings at Coursera

Explore China's classical Kunqu opera, its history, aesthetics, music, and performance. Learn about role-types, makeup, costumes, and famous repertoires from renowned maestros and scholars.

• Coursera
• 9 hours 55 minutes
• On-Demand
• Paid Course

Introduction to Italian Opera

2 reviews

Explore Italian Opera in this two-act learning experience as we learn to listen to music in new ways.

• edX
• 4 weeks, 4-5 hours a week
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

Introduction to Italian Opera

1 review

Explore Italian opera's evolution from Florence to Puccini, focusing on musical storytelling, close listening, and key composers. Gain insights into operatic conventions and styles across different eras.

• Coursera
• 1 day 9 hours 26 minutes
• On-Demand
• Paid Course

Introduction to German Opera

Explore German Opera as we learn to listen to music in new ways.

• edX
• 4 weeks, 4-5 hours a week
• On-Demand
• Free Online Course (Audit)

Introduction to German Opera

Explore German opera's evolution, focusing on musical motives, orchestral importance, and dramatic conveyance through works of Wagner, Mozart, Beethoven, Weber, and Strauss.

• Coursera
• 16 hours 35 minutes
• On-Demand
• Paid Course

How to Listen to and Understand Opera

99 ratings at The Great Courses Plus

Discover the great beauty and high artistic achievement of opera with this brilliant course by acclaimed musicologist Robert Greenberg.

• The Great Courses Plus
• 1 day 24 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Trial Available

Introduction to Classical Music

25 reviews

Using a simple and enjoyable teaching style, this course introduces the novice listener to the wonders of classical music, from Bach fugues to Mozart symphonies to Puccini operas.

• Coursera
• 66 hours
• On-Demand
• Paid Course

• Best of All Time

Romantic Opera: Verdi's La Traviata and Vocal Performance - Lecture 19

1 review

Explore Verdi's La Traviata and the evolution of operatic voices, from Romantic era to modern times. Analyze vocal performances and discover iconic singers who shaped the art form.

• YouTube
• 53 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Why Opera Is Less Pretentious Than You Think

Discover how opera can be accessible, engaging, and relevant to all communities through joyful advocacy and authenticity, challenging traditional perceptions of elitism and exclusivity.

• YouTube
• 15 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

The Aspen Institute

Voices of Change - Reinventing Women in Opera

Exploring the evolving roles of women in opera as performers, composers, and leaders, breaking barriers and setting new standards in the industry worldwide.

• YouTube
• 51 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Bringing Opera into Common Spaces

Discover how opera can be brought out of traditional venues and into everyday spaces, making this art form more accessible and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of background or experience.

• YouTube
• 18 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video

Gresham College

The Operatic Showstopper - You'll Never Walk Alone

Explore how 'You'll Never Walk Alone' evolved from Rodgers and Hammerstein's operatic Broadway masterpiece to beloved football anthem, featuring live soprano performances and cultural analysis.

• YouTube
• 48 minutes
• On-Demand
• Free Video