opera seria

American  

[op-er-uh seer-ee-uh, op-ruh, aw-pe-rah se-ryah] / ˈɒp ər ə ˈsɪər i ə, ˈɒp rə, ˈɔ pɛ rɑ ˈsɛ ryɑ /

noun

opera serias, plural operas seria, plural opere serie plural

1. Italian dramatic opera of the 18th century based typically on a classical subject and characterized by extensive use of the aria da capo and recitative.

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opera seria British  

/ ˈopera ˈsɛːrja, ˈsɪərɪə /

noun

1. a type of opera current in 18th-century Italy based on a serious plot, esp a mythological tale

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Etymology

Origin of opera seria

1875–80; < Italian: literally, serious opera

Example Sentences

My dating history featured a catalog of opera seria, each ending more tragic than the last.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2023

Night two for me was Mozart’s 1781 opera seria “Idomeneo,” set on the island of Crete in the aftermath of the Trojan War.

From Washington Post • Oct. 13, 2022

Mozart had long since tossed out the archaic opera seria format.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 14, 2017

It was his last opera seria, a dramatic form that was already going out of fashion when it was written.

From The Guardian • Jan. 26, 2013

He leapt into fame with 'Tancredi,' which was produced in 1813 and established his reputation as a composer of opera seria.

From The Opera A Sketch of the Development of Opera. With full Descriptions of all Works in the Modern Repertory. by Fuller-Maitland, J. A.