opera
pronunciation
How to pronounce opera in British English:
UK [ˈɒprə]
How to pronounce opera in American English:
US [ˈɑːprə]
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- Noun:
- a drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes
- theater where opera is performed
Word Origin
- opera (n.)
- "a drama sung" [Klein], 1640s, from Italian opera, literally "a work, labor, composition," from Latin opera "work, effort" (Latin plural regarded as feminine singular), secondary (abstract) noun from operari "to work," from opus (genitive operis) "a work" (see opus). Defined in "Elson's Music Dictionary" as, "a form of musical composition evolved shortly before 1600, by some enthusiastic Florentine amateurs who sought to bring back the Greek plays to the modern stage." No good opera plot can be sensible. ... People do not sing when they are feeling sensible. [W.H. Auden, 1961]As a branch of dramatic art, it is attested from 1759. First record of opera glass "small binoculars for use at the theater" is from 1738. Soap opera is first recorded 1939, as a disparaging reference to daytime radio dramas sponsored by soap manufacturers.
Example
- 1. Or a tenor in vienna 's opera house ?
- 2. The soap opera has a long way to run .
- 3. They only look at opera houses built before or immediately after 1800 , that is , prior to the industrial revolution .
- 4. I saw big tonight at the opera .
- 5. In opera mozart was unsurpassed .