Why are there very few operas written in English?

The choice that many English operas were scarce primarily stems from the historical preference for Italian opera during the early development of the genre in England. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Italian opera garnered significant acclaim and popularity, both in England and across Europe. Italian operas were celebrated for their elaborate music and dramatic expression, which set a high standard that early English composers often sought to emulate.

As a result, audiences in England became accustomed to the styles and practices of Italian operas, leading to a diminished interest in English language works. This preference shaped the operatic landscape, making it challenging for English composers to gain a foothold or to develop a unique operatic tradition in their native language. While there have been notable English operas, the historical dominance of Italian opera created an environment where fewer operas in English were composed or gained widespread acceptance during significant periods in music history.

This context illustrates why the historical and cultural factors contributed to the limited number of operas written in English, overshadowing other reasons that could have influenced the operatic scene.