grand opera

American  

noun

1. a serious, usually tragic, opera in which most of the text is set to music.

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grand opera British  

noun

1. an opera that has a serious plot and is entirely in musical form, with no spoken dialogue

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Etymology

Origin of grand opera

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

As a story ballet, “Like Water for Chocolate” functions almost like a French grand opera.

From Los Angeles Times

But nearly three months after the virus scuttled the remainder of its season, the Deutsche Oper here became the first company to perform grand opera while complying with hygiene and distancing regulations.

From New York Times

While grand opera — that enemy of social distancing — might be impossible for a time, that doesn’t mean opera can’t work.

From New York Times

But symphonies are smaller operations than grand opera companies, and the Philharmonic has been able to continue to pay its musicians.

From New York Times

While the recitatives look back to the 18th century, other passages anticipate Berlioz and the grand opera of Meyerbeer.

From New York Times