The brief accompanying notes offer an explanation as to why each opera has been considered important. The operas included cover all important genres, and include all operas regularly performed today, from seventeenth-century works to late twentieth-century operas. This list provides a guide to the most prominent operas, as determined by their presence on a majority of selected compiled lists, which date from between 19.

The early 18th century was dominated by the operas of George Frideric Handel, while other important works include Pepusch's The Beggar's Opera, Pergolesi's' La serva padrona, and various works by Jean-Philippe Rameau. Throughout the later 17th century, his successor Francesco Cavalli and the Englishman Henry Purcell wrote numerous prominent operas. The earliest major opera composer is generally considered to be Claudio Monteverdi, who wrote the first prominent opera, L'Orfeo, followed by two others.

Since the origins of opera in late 16th century Italy, a central repertoire has developed, shepherded by major opera composers.

List verdi opera