Opera is a form of theatre in which music has a leading role and the parts are taken by singers, but is distinct from musical theatre.[1] Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically a collaboration between a composer and a librettist[2] and incorporates a number of the performing arts, such as acting, scenery, costume, and sometimes dance or ballet. The performance is typically given in an opera house, accompanied by an orchestra or smaller musical ensemble, which since the early 19th century has been led by a conductor.
<span>The time period before the American Civil War is called the "antebellum" period, since in this case "ante" means "before" and "bellum" means "war". </span>
