opera

¹

[ op-er-uh, op-ruh ]

noun

1. an extended dramatic composition, in which all parts are sung to instrumental accompaniment, that usually includes arias, choruses, and recitatives, and that sometimes includes ballet. Compare comic opera, grand opera.
2. the form or branch of musical and dramatic art represented by such compositions.
3. the score or the words of such a composition.
4. a performance of one:

   to go to the opera.

5. (sometimes initial capital letter) an opera house or resident company:

   the Paris Opera.

opera

²

[ oh-per-uh, op-er-uh ]

noun

, Chiefly Music.

1. a plural of opus.

opera

¹

/ ˈɒpərə /

noun

1. a plural of opus

opera

²

/ ˈɒprə; ˈɒpərə /

noun

1. an extended dramatic work in which music constitutes a dominating feature, either consisting of separate recitatives, arias, and choruses, or having a continuous musical structure
2. the branch of music or drama represented by such works
3. the score, libretto, etc, of an opera
4. a theatre where opera is performed

opera

1. A musical drama that is totally or mostly sung. Aïda , Carmen, and Don Giovanniare some celebrated operas. A light, comic opera is often called an operetta .

Word History and Origins

Origin of opera¹

1635–45; < Italian: work, opera < Latin, plural of opus service, work, a work, opus

Word History and Origins

Origin of opera¹

C17: via Italian from Latin: work, a work, plural of opus work

Example Sentences

Mr Ward said in a statement in September that he had stepped down from his role as a trustee of Royal Ballet and Opera while the review at Harrods takes place.

From BBC

Saturday night at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles Opera revived a lavish production of Gounod’s “Romeo and Juliet,” written two years earlier than “The Stone Guest.”

From Los Angeles Times

Before the pandemic, Wainwright was approached by the Greek National Opera to compose a work for the 200th anniversary of the Greek revolution of 1821.

From Los Angeles Times

The famed “Cats” and “Phantom of the Opera” composer revealed in a Thursday interview with Billboard that Scherzinger had been texting Payne on the day he died.

From Los Angeles Times

They met two leading cancer researchers and celebrated the Sydney Opera House's 50th anniversary.

From BBC

Related Words

• act
• appearance
• behavior
• concert
• dance
• display
• drama
• play
• portrayal
• presentation
• production
• show