Opera
Operas are dramas in which the characters sing each line rather than speaking. The entire
production is set to a musical score. You can tell you’re watching an opera if it includes these
attributes:
Musical soliloquies known as arias
Plot-driving passages that can be non-melodic
A libretto (text) set to a musical score
Subject matter that is tragic, comic, or melodramatic
Can incorporate an element of dance, but typically relies on singing performances
Elaborate sets, costume design, and production
One of the most famous operas of all time is Giacomo Puccini’s La Boheme. It tells the tragic
story of Rodolfo, Mimi, and the world of French Bohemia. Set to one of opera’s most
memorable scores, the story reveals itself over the course of a year.
Melodrama
When you hear drama, you probably think of melodrama. Melodramas tell a serious story in
serious ways. Not sure if a drama is a melodrama? Check if it includes the following:
Character tropes such as heroes, heroines, villains, mentors, etc.
Sweeping stories of romance or serious topics
Larger-than-life plots and circumstances (or very small stories told in big ways)
Exaggerated character reactions
Clear literary themes
Flawed characters who must overcome their faults in order to reach their resolution
Ending that is sometimes happy, sometimes unhappy
Consider Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House when referring to a melodrama. Nora’s over-the-top
reactions place the play right into the definition of melodrama. The ending is a mix of both
happiness and hope for Nora, and sadness and despair for Torvald.
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Musical Drama
It’s tempting to put opera and musical drama into the same category. However, their production
proves that there are significant differences between the two. But how can you tell a musical
drama apart from an opera? Use this checklist:
Periods of standard storyline interrupted by songs
Characters often singing in unison to express feelings
Songs as plot-changing devices
Dramatic or comedic storylines
Catchy, distinctive musical score
Often lots of singing and dancing
Many musicals, such as Les Miserables or Phantom of the Opera, (pictured above) are adapted
from longer literary works. Both of these musical dramas express their themes directly through
song and progress the plot with musical numbers. They simplify their source material by putting
