"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.
实用例句
1. The following year she joined the Royal Opera House.
次年她加入了皇家歌剧院。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Young conductors earn their spurs in a small orchestra or opera house.
年轻的指挥家们在小乐队或小歌剧院里崭露头角。
来自柯林斯例句
3. The opera lacks the polish of his later work.
这部歌剧不及他晚期作品娴熟。
来自柯林斯例句
4. I love opera and last year I got tickets for Covent Garden.
我喜爱歌剧，去年我搞到几张科芬园皇家歌剧院的票。
来自柯林斯例句
5. The opera is due to be premiered by ENO next year.
