List of major opera composers

The composers run from Jacopo Peri, who wrote the first ever opera in late 16th century Italy, to John Adams, one of the leading figures in the contemporary operatic world.

Also included is a section about major women opera composers, compiled from the same lists.

A number of reasons, including the high cost of production and high status of opera,[75] have been suggested to explain the relatively few women who have been composers of opera, and no woman composer met the criteria for inclusion above.

However, some experts in our sample disagreed,[76] and named either or both of the women below as comparable to those already listed: Other notable women opera composers include Peggy Glanville-Hicks, Lori Laitman, Missy Mazzoli, Rachel Portman, and Olga Neuwirth.

Judith Weir appears on four of the ten lists consulted, more than any other female composer in the sample.