grand opera

noun

: opera in which the plot is serious or tragic and the entire text is set to music

Examples of grand opera in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Dalhart moved to New York City in 1907, hoping to pursue a career as a grand opera vocalist. Ted Olson, The Conversation, 9 Aug. 2024 Then again, not much opera was actually presented in these grand opera houses, rather Gilbert and Sullivan, music revues of all sorts and straight theater. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2024 Baranski: That role takes you everywhere from almost-vaudeville comedy to grand opera. Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024 When the company was first formed, there was much talk about whether Los Angeles had an appetite for grand opera. Adam Nagourney, New York Times, 12 May 2023 See all Example Sentences for grand opera 

Word History

First Known Use

1720, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of grand opera was in 1720

Dictionary Entries Near grand opera

Cite this Entry

“Grand opera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grand%20opera. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

grand opera

noun
: a serious opera in which the entire text is sung
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