The Enigma of the Latin Word 'Opus' opus 960
| 8 October 2026 0721 Hours | | Linguistics, Communication, Custom, History |
Opera is the plural of opus. How does that relate to a musical opera?
There is a connection between the plural of opus and the musical genre of opera.
It is a mix of the literal meaning, theatrical scale, and Italian linguistic history:
Latin 'opus' means 'a work' or 'a labor'.
When a classical composer completes a piece of music, it is called an 'opus'.
When the musical genre of opera was created in Italy around 1600,
A simple musical performance was now combined
Into multiple artistic disciplines or one massive production:
The libretto (poetry), acting and drama, singing and instrumental music,
Tied together with costumes, scenic design, and dance.
The Italian language adopted the Latin plural, 'opera', meaning 'works',
And then used it as a singular, feminine noun
Connoting 'a singular grand production' or 'the art form itself'.
English borrowed the word from Italian in the late 1600s.
Today in English, 'operas' mean multiple musical plays
And 'opuses' is used for a composer's several musical pieces.
Thus one sees the amusing switch from a singular to plural and back again!