Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'opera'

English Word: opera

Key Russian Translations:

• опера (/ɐˈpʲerə/) - [Formal, Used in cultural and artistic contexts]

Frequency: Medium (Common in discussions of arts, culture, and entertainment, but not everyday conversation)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions and cultural vocabulary)

Pronunciation (Russian):

опера: /ɐˈpʲerə/

Note on опера: The stress falls on the second syllable (/ˈpʲerə/), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 'p' sound. In fast speech, it may soften to /ɐpʲɪrə/.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A dramatic work in which music is the primary element, typically involving singing and orchestral accompaniment.

Translation(s) & Context:

• опера - Used in formal settings like theater reviews or cultural discussions; refers to the art form as a whole.

Usage Examples:

• Я обожаю смотреть оперу в Большом театре. (Ya obozhayu smotret' operu v Bol'shom teatre.)

  I love watching opera at the Bolshoi Theater. (This example shows the word in a personal preference context, highlighting cultural appreciation.)

• Эта опера была написана Чайковским в XIX веке. (Eta opera byla napisana Chaykovskim v XIX veke.)

  This opera was written by Tchaikovsky in the 19th century. (Demonstrates use in historical or biographical discussions, with the noun in nominative case.)

• Мы посетим оперу во время отпуска в Москве. (My posetim operu vo vremya otpuska v Moskve.)

  We will visit the opera during our vacation in Moscow. (Illustrates future tense usage in travel plans, showing the word in accusative case.)

• Опера часто сочетает музыку и драму. (Opera chasto sochitaet muzyku i dramu.)

  Opera often combines music and drama. (This example emphasizes the general concept in explanatory contexts.)

• В этой опере главная героиня поёт арию о любви. (V etoy opere glavnaya geroynya poyot ariyu o lyubvi.)

  In this opera, the main heroine sings an aria about love. (Shows the word in a narrative context, with additional vocabulary like 'ария' for depth.)

Meaning 2: A theater or building where operas are performed.

Translation(s) & Context:

• опера - Often used interchangeably with the building itself in cultural contexts; can imply the venue rather than the performance.

Usage Examples:

• Опера в Санкт-Петербурге — одно из самых красивых зданий. (Opera v Sankt-Peterburge — odno iz samykh krasivykh zdaniy.)

  The opera in St. Petersburg is one of the most beautiful buildings. (This highlights the word referring to a physical location, in the nominative case.)

• Мы купили билеты в оперу на вечернее представление. (My kupili bilety v operu na vecherneye predstavleniye.)

  We bought tickets to the opera for the evening performance. (Demonstrates use in practical, event-related contexts, with prepositional case.)

• Опера была построена в эпоху классицизма. (Opera byla postroena v epokhu klassitsizma.)

  The opera was built in the era of classicism. (Shows historical usage, emphasizing architectural aspects.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Опера" is a feminine noun in Russian, following the first declension pattern. It undergoes regular changes based on case and number. Below is a table outlining its primary inflections:

Note: The plural form is less common and typically used when referring to multiple operas or venues. There are no irregular inflections for this word.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • спектакль (spektakl) - More general term for a performance; often used for theater plays but can overlap with opera.
  • музыкальный спектакль (muzykal'nyy spektakl) - Emphasizes the musical aspect; suitable for less formal contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • трагедия (tragediya) - Refers to a tragedy play, contrasting in tone and style.
  • комедия (komediya) - A comedy performance, highlighting a lighter genre opposite to opera's dramatic nature.

Related Phrases:

• Опера в Большом театре (Opera v Bol'shom teatre) - Refers to performances at the Bolshoi Theater; used in cultural tourism contexts.
• Классическая опера (Klassicheskaya opera) - Means "classical opera"; often discusses traditional works like those by Tchaikovsky.
• Современная опера (Sovremennaya opera) - "Modern opera"; highlights contemporary interpretations in Russian arts.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "опера" directly corresponds to the English "opera" in both meanings (the art form and the building). It is primarily used in formal or cultural discussions, and learners should note its feminine gender for correct adjective agreement (e.g., "классическая опера" for "classical opera"). When choosing between synonyms like "спектакль," opt for "опера" if the context specifically involves sung performances with orchestra. Be mindful of case endings in sentences, as Russian requires declension based on grammatical role.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "опера" without proper declension, e.g., saying "в опера" instead of "в оперу" (in the accusative case).

  Correct: в оперу (v operu) - Explanation: Russian nouns change based on case; "в" requires accusative for motion, so "опера" becomes "оперу." This mistake often stems from English speakers treating Russian like English, where nouns don't inflect.

• Error: Confusing "опера" with "оперный" (oper theatre-related adjective).

  Correct: Use "оперный театр" (opernyy teatr) for "opera house," not just "опера." Explanation: "Опера" alone means the performance or work, while "оперный" specifies the venue or style.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, opera holds significant historical importance, dating back to the 19th century with composers like Tchaikovsky and Rimsky-Korsakov. It symbolizes high art and national pride, often performed in iconic venues like the Bolshoi Theater. For English speakers, understanding "опера" involves appreciating its role in Russian literature and Soviet-era propaganda, where it represented cultural sophistication.

Related Concepts:

• балет (balet)
• симфония (simfoniya)
• концерт (koncert)