OPERA (Ital. Opera, abbrev. of Opera in Musica, a ‘Musical Work,
’ Dramma per la Musica; Fr. Opéra; Germ. Oper, Sing spiel). A Drama, either Tragic or Comic, sung, throughout, with appropriate Scenery and Acting, to the Accompaniment of a full Orchestra.
It may seem strange to speak of the Opera as one of the oldest institutions in existence; yet, our search for its origin leads us back to a time long antecedent to the beginning of the Christian Æra;...