SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

the opera

noun

Definition of the opera

: an opera performance or opera performances

Have you ever been to the opera?

I enjoy going to the opera.

Word by Word Definitions

opera play

: plural of opus

: a drama set to music and made up of vocal pieces with orchestral accompaniment and orchestral overtures (see ¹overture 2) and interludes (see interlude 3)
: the score (see ¹score 6) of a musical drama
: the performance of an opera

See the full definition of opera

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