* Typically tells a dramatic story or narrative
* Features soloists, a chorus, and an orchestra
* Includes both spoken dialogue and sung text
* Often uses elaborate sets and costumes
* Performed in a theater
Musical
* Typically tells a comedic or sentimental story
* Features singing, dancing, and acting
* Includes spoken dialogue and song lyrics
* Uses elaborate sets and costumes
* Performed in a theater
Key differences
* Operas tend to be classical music while musicals tend to be popular/contemporary, or even jazz influenced
* Musicals usually involve more dancing
* Musicals use microphones and use of amplification is allowed which isn't in an opera due to the fact an operatic sound should sound natural and pure through projection