grand opera

a serious, usually tragic, opera in which most of the text is set to music.

Origin of grand opera

First recorded in 1795–1805

Mrs. Stuart had visited Egypt before, but to Grace it was like a glimpse of grand-opera land, a scene from "Aida."

By Right of Conquest |Arthur Hornblow
“Mr. Fairfax is giving a luncheon for two of the grand-opera people,” she explained.

What's-His-Name |George Barr McCutcheon
Here, the lady must be no less a personage than a grand-opera singer or a premire danseuse.

The Place of Honeymoons |Harold MacGrath
Stella Wing, who would have been a grand-opera star except for her drive to know everything about language.

Masters of Space |Edward Elmer Smith

It is not like looking back from the front seat in the pit upon a grand-opera night—the colors are all sober.

Mr. Dide, His Vacation in Colorado |Lewis B. France

grand opera

an opera that has a serious plot and is entirely in musical form, with no spoken dialogue