Opera is a form of theatre that combines music, singing, drama, and dance to tell a dramatic story through song. The word "opera" comes from the Italian word "opera in musica," which means "work in music". Operas are typically a collaboration between a composer and a librettist, who writes the words of the opera, known as the libretto.

Unlike musicals, opera singers do not use microphones to amplify their voices, and the music, played by the orchestra, is completely live. Operas are sung in many different languages, but some of the most popular languages for opera are Italian, German, and French.

The earliest Italian operas were called "favola in musica" (fable in music) and "dramma per musica" (drama by means of music) . Operas are often based on pre-existing works, such as novels or plays.

Operas unfold a dramatic or comic story involving a protagonist, antagonist, and/or a hero/heroine. Actors that portray these roles must be very good at both singing and acting. Certain character tendencies often exist for each vocal category, such as the soprano most often playing the heroine of the opera.

Opera has a rich history that dates back to the early 17th century during the Renaissance period in Italy. Over time, the balance between music, text, and drama has shifted, with some periods favoring music over text and drama, and others favoring text and drama over music.

In conclusion, opera is a complete art form that combines music, singing, drama, and dance to tell a dramatic story through song. It has a rich history that dates back to the early 17th century and has evolved over time to include numerous genres.