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A brief look at recessions
Stemming from the Latin word “recessus” (meaning “a retreat”), recessions are sustained periods of declining activity in a country’s economy. During a recession, unemployment rises while economic output falls across a large swath of industries. Recessions are inevitable in modern economies, with one occurring about every six to seven years.

One common definition of a recession is when a country logs two consecutive quarters of shrinking gross domestic product, but in practice, these economic phenomena are more complex.

The US has been through 34 recessions since 1854, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research. But over time, they’ve become both shorter and less frequent. Since 1980, the US has only experienced six recessions.

... Read our full deep dive on recessions here.

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> Amid market downturns, some let their roots grow out—so-called "recession blondes." (More)
> The eight people who decide whether the US is in a recession. (More)
> Visualizing the trends of recessions and recoveries over 150 years. (More)



Figaro! Figaro! Figaro!
Opera, explained
Opera (derived from the Italian word for “artistic work”) is an art form that shares narratives through singing and music. The style was born in 16th-century Florence at the end of the Italian Renaissance. In the 1600s, it spread to other parts of Europe and took different shapes and styles for centuries (listen to operatic singing).

Operas and musicals are often incorrectly conflated. Operas emphasize music, rather than lyrics and dialogue, to serve the storytelling. The message transcends language in opera, exemplified by how operas are often performed in languages foreign to their audiences.

While cost barriers and a changing cultural landscape have mostly sidelined opera today, it remains culturally relevant in modern television, movies, and sports coverage that continue to use its iconic melodies.

... Read our full deep dive on opera here.

Also, check out ...
> Why Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" was so controversial. (More)
> Everything you need to know about opera etiquette. (More)
> Understanding the economic hardships opera faces. (More)

SOURCE:  1440 NEWS