In Latin, it is the plural of Opus, meaning work or works.
The opera is usually a large scale drama which is sung throughout, with scenery, costumes, acting and orchestra accompaniment. Sometimes, there are also spoken dialogues (for example, Bizet's Carmen). The opera combines together nearly all the stage arts: music, acting, dancing, costuming, choreography, stage-designing, drama, and more.
The first work to be accepted today as an opera was Peri's "Daphne", composed in 1597. But, it has been lost. In 1600, Peri composed his opera "Eurydice".
Some of the most important operas include Monteverdi's
"The Coronation Of Poppaea", Gluck's "Orpheus and Eurydice", Mozart's "Don Giovanni", Beethoven's "Fidelio", Rossini's "Wilhelm Tell", Verdi's "Othello", Wagner's "Tristan", Bizet's "Carmen", and Berg's "Wozzeck".
