Opera. The word itself evokes the world of high art, perhaps even culture at its most rarified. Many Italian Americans know a little about the art form but often believe the opera is too high-brow and sophisticated for them. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Opera – which is the Italian word for “work” as in “a work of art” – should be viewed as a vital part of our cultural heritage, since it owes a great deal to Italians. It should be seen as one more of our accomplishments of which to boast, not something to be shied away from.
