Advice On Composing An Opera?

I've continued work on my opera, an idea that I've been thinking about for over a year now. Has anyone ever composed an opera, any advice on how to go about it? I'm writing my own Libretto right now and I was just curious what others have done, thanks!

What kind of opera is it? What story? What style of music?

(I've done opera work before, and I'm studying it. I can't really say anything unless I know more about the project!)

Sounds like an interesting premise! Never written an opera so I can't really give you any advice, lol. 

Doing a whole opera as a passion project is inadvisable, as it is unlikely that anyone would be able to stay motivated for long enough to complete the work.

It's also dangerous to write your own libretto. Also did you grow up with Italians living in California? If not, it's another trap to center it on characters that are of an ethnicity different to your own (there are a million subtleties that can be lost). "write what you know", as they say.

I'd try to get a commission first, and once that is obtained, the parameters would probably be set by everybody else for the most part, so many of the questions of what to do would be a moot point.

^good advice.

Though, doing a one act, 30-40 minute opera is manageable. That's what I do. 

As for the libretto, it can be done. But, it's better to have somebody else help you with it. Have anybody in mind?

I also agree with write what you know. 

All of my operas are written for contests. Generally, they like a "scene" to be written, and then you can develop the whole thing. Be on the look out for those.

Doing a whole opera as a passion project is inadvisable, as it is unlikely that anyone would be able to stay motivated for long enough to complete the work.

 

It's also dangerous to write your own libretto. Also did you grow up with Italians living in California? If not, it's another trap to center it on characters that are of an ethnicity different to your own (there are a million subtleties that can be lost). "write what you know", as they say.

 

I'd try to get a commission first, and once that is obtained, the parameters would probably be set by everybody else for the most part, so many of the questions of what to do would be a moot point.

I do appreciate the concern, I probably should stick to english for that simple reason; "it's what I know". But otherwise, I do know I have the capability to write an opera. I'm going to compose it for piano and voices first and worry about orchestrating it later. That way I can at least expect to have a piano/voices recording of the piece.

"Passion project" is a good way to describe what I'm doing. It's neither commissioned and it's possible it will never be staged while I'm alive. But for that reason my vision for the work will never be compromised. I'll compose it in a late romantic harmonic language, even though that's unpopular. Themes like mercy and judgment will be dealt with. While it won't be "religious" I'm not going to shy away from invoking the bible (which will also be a turn off for some). I wish only to compose a beautiful piece around timeless subject matter. Whether it becomes lucrative or not is beside the point for me, I'll be able to die happy with myself for having composed it.