Talk:List of basic opera topics

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[edit] Introductory definition of opera

The present introduction seems inadequate and written from a non-opera POV:

Opera is a form of theatre in which the drama is conveyed wholly or predominantly through music and singing. Opera uses many of the elements of spoken theatre such as scenery, costumes, and acting, but opera is distinguished from other dramatic forms by the importance of song. The singers are accompanied by a musical ensemble ranging from a small instrumental ensemble to a full symphonic orchestra. Opera may also incorporate dance.

I am going to edit this to the following (below) but I am putting both versions here for discussion.

Opera is one of the performing arts, alongside music, dance and drama, and its special character as an art form derives from combining elements of the other performing arts, together with visual effects. The performance of opera is invariably live and in a specially-equipped opera house or theatre. It is normally (electronically) unamplified to order to feature the beauty of the natural voice. While the scale of opera can be larger or smaller - there are many different genres of opera - performance typically involves different types of artist (singers, instrumentalists and often dancers and actors) and technical staff. Usually an orchestra led by a conductor accompanies the singers. In contrast to spoken theatre, the opera world is international. German, French, Italian and English works are performed world-wide in their original languages, and artists travel from country to country performing."

Hope this helps! -- Kleinzach 00:13, 15 May 2007 (UTC)