The Siege of Rhodes Made a Representation by the Art of Prospective in Scenes, And the Story sung in Recitative Musick

opera by Davenant

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The Siege of Rhodes Made a Representation by the Art of Prospective in Scenes, And the Story sung in Recitative Musick was an opera produced in 1656 by Sir William Davenant. This work was significant as it marked the first attempt to revive English drama after it had been banned. Davenant introduced three innovations to the English public stage with this opera: it was the first opera in England, it featured painted stage sets, and it included a female actress-singer.1

Recitative is a style of singing that imitates spoken language rhythms and accents, used in opera to advance the plot. The opera's subject matter, the Siege of Rhodes, refers to the 1522 event where the Ottoman Empire, led by S\u00fcleyman the Magnificent, captured the island of Rhodes from the Knights Hospitaller.23

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Sir William Davenant
…first public opera in England, The Siege of Rhodes Made a Representation by the Art of Prospective in Scenes, And the Story sung in Recitative Musick (produced 1656). In The Siege he introduced three innovations to the English public stage: an opera, painted stage sets, and a female actress-singer.
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…first public opera in England, The Siege of Rhodes Made a Representation by the Art of Prospective in Scenes, And the Story sung in Recitative Musick (produced 1656). In The Siege he introduced three innovations to the English public stage: an opera, painted stage sets, and a female actress-singer.
Read More