Historical arias

We take a tour of the V&A’S exhibition Opera: Passion, Power and Politics, which brings the story of the most ambitious art form to life

As we take a look at the new opera exhibition at the V&A, historian Lucy Worsley tells us about her new Nights at the Opera series on BBC TV

The history of opera is colourful and complex, a tale that began in Italy over 400 years ago and which is still being told today. This autum, a major new exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum brings together more than 300 objects illustrating how the art form has developed over the centuries. Seven premieres in seven cities, from Monteverdi’s Venice to Shostakovich’s St Petersburg, are at the heart of this in-depth look at how opera has been influenced by society, culture and politics across the ages. Here are a few of the highlights…

Opera: Passion, Power and Politics runs at the V&A in collaboration with the Royal Opera House from 30 September 2017 to 25 February 2018