Philosophical and Cultural Factors in the Birth of Opera in 17th Century Europe

Abstract

Artistic activities have continuously demonstrated change and differentiation throughout history, largely influenced by cultural and philosophical movements. This study examines the projection of the cultural and philosophical factors that shaped the genesis of Opera in 17th-century Europe, a significant form of this artistic transformation. The research is based on the method of historical content analysis, utilizing primary and secondary sources pertaining to 16th and 17th-century European art, political, and cultural history, which were collected through a literature review. The gathered data are thematically analyzed within the context of Renaissance humanism’s interest in Ancient Greek drama and the Baroque era’s Affetti (affection/emotion) centered aesthetic understanding, which enabled the emergence of Opera. The analyses show that the inspiration from classical drama, revitalized by the Renaissance, combined with the centralization of emotional expression in art during the Baroque period, triggering the birth of Opera. The main finding of the study is that Opera functioned not only as an art form but also as a new public expressive and propaganda tool, reflecting the political power and social atmosphere of the time. Consequently, the philosophical and cultural interactions during this period permanently shaped Opera’s place in European art history and its subsequent influence on later periods.