/op"euhr euh sear"ee euh, op"reuh/ ; It. /aw"pe rddah se"rddyah/ , pl. opera serias, operas seria , It. opere serie /aw"pe rdde se"rddye/ .
Italian dramatic opera of the 18th century based typically on a classical subject and characterized by extensive use of the aria da capo and recitative.
[ 1875-80; ]