Grand opera

noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A genre of 19th-century opera characterized by large-scale casts and orchestras, and lavish and spectacular design and stage effects, normally with plots based on or around dramatic historic events.

    "Clearly, Hitler saw his historical function as a Wagnerian grand opera. Vast cosmic changes required an accompaniment of slaughter on a colossal scale."

  2. 2
    opera in which all the text is sung wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
balletlight operaminstrelminstrel showmusicalmusical comedy

Example

More examples

"Clearly, Hitler saw his historical function as a Wagnerian grand opera. Vast cosmic changes required an accompaniment of slaughter on a colossal scale."

Etymology

Borrowed from French grand opéra.

Next best steps

Browse writing guidesExplore topic clusters