What is an opera in Latin?

The Italian word derives from the Latin word opera, a singular noun meaning "work" and also the plural of the noun opus.

1. Is there an opera in Latin?
2. What does the word opera literally mean?
3. What is the word root of opera?

Is there an opera in Latin?

Instead, operas are sung in modern European languages. Having said that, some old operas were written in Latin and very few not-so-old operas are sung in Latin. For instance, Apollo et Hyacinthus is Mozart's first opera. He wrote it in Latin in 1767 at the age of 11.

What does the word opera literally mean?

The English word opera is an abbreviation of the Italian phrase opera in musica (“work in music”). It denotes a theatrical work consisting of a dramatic text, or libretto (“booklet”), that has been set to music and staged with scenery, costumes, and movement.

What is the word root of opera?

We get the word opera from the Latin and, later, from the Italian, a noun formed from the word operari, "to work." The style evolved in Italy around 1600, and was initially unrealistic, mainly a chance for soloists to show off.