C18 "serious opera" in three acts and in the Italian style of A. Scarlatti or Handel (contrasts the "opera buffa" - comic opera, in two acts).
The genre of opera in the 18th century in which the subject matter is entirely serious. The topics of opera seria are usually drawn from Greek mythology or Roman history.
A serious, heroic form of eighteenth century opera featuring historical or mythological figures in stereotypical plots stressing the tension between love and duty.
Large spectacle-filled operas based on “serious†mythological subjects. The characters were almost always royalty or Gods. One of the last and greatest examples of the form is Mozart’s La clemenza di Tito.
The mid 18th century revival of classical opera.
(OH-peh-rah SEH-ree-ah)(Italian) — A "serious" opera. The usual characters in the earlier ones are gods and goddesses or ancient heroes. Rossini was one of the last to write true opere serie.
Romantic, flowery, serious opera.
A serious opera governed by strict rules as to subject and structure.
Serious and heroic opera of the Baroque period.
A formal, serious opera, particularly prevalent in the 18th century.
OH-peh-rah SEH-ree-ah]: a form of opera that held sway in the 17th and early-18th century. Opera seria's hallmarks were very formal librettos (usually by Zeno or Metastasio) based on serious subject matters from mythology or ancient history, with scores that featured elaborately decorated arias to allow the singers to display their virtuosity.
Opera seria (sometimes called melodramma serio) is an Italian musical term which refers to the noble and "serious" style of Italian opera that predominated in Europe from the 1720s to ca 1770. The popular rival to opera seria was opera buffa, the 'comic' opera that took its cue from the improvisatory commedia dell'arte.