Opera is a story told through music and singing, although the story is of less importance than the emotion conveyed through the music. Today, many people think of opera as an elitist art form, but this was not always so. In the 18th century the Castrato singers enjoyed the celebrity and adulation of rock stars today. They were a sell-out everywhere and across Europe women swooned and wrote them love poetry.

In the 19th century stars like Jenny Lind made opera not only fashionable but also popular. In Belgium in 1830, an opera sparked a revolution, and in Italy delivery boys whistled arias from Verdi's operas.

Join our journey from the court entertainments of the 16th century to today's avant garde. Meet temperamental divas, vain castratos, inspired composers and find out why it took so long for Britain to get its own opera.