Which century did Opera took hold in England?

Opera took hold in England during the 17th century, particularly in the late 1600s with the establishment of the first English opera, "Dido and Aeneas," composed by Henry Purcell in 1689. While earlier forms of musical theater existed, it was during this time that opera began to gain popularity among audiences. The genre continued to evolve in England throughout the 18th century, influenced by Italian opera and other European styles.