* A musical drama set to music, typically performed in a theatre with an orchestra and singers
* Typically tells a story through elaborate sets, costumes, and acting
* Often includes soloists, choruses, and a full orchestra
* Often based on classical myths or history
* Sung throughout, with little or no spoken dialogue
* More serious in tone than musical theatre, and often deals with heavy themes such as love, loss, and betrayal
* Can be comedic, but is typically more serious in tone than musical theatre
Musical
* A type of stage production that combines music, singing, dancing, and spoken dialogue
* Typically tells a story through songs, dances, and scenes
* Often includes songs that are popular or familiar to the audience
* Can be set in any time period or location
* Can be serious or comedic in tone
* More contemporary than opera, and often deals with lighter themes such as friendship, love, and self-discovery
* Often has a larger cast than opera
* Can have more elaborate sets, costumes, and lighting than opera
* Can have a more "spectacular" or "Broadway-style" presentation than opera