How does the combination of acting and music in opera enhance its storytelling?

The combination of acting and music in opera significantly enhances storytelling by allowing performers to physically embody the narrative. This integration of music and drama creates a multi-dimensional experience for the audience. Through their acting, singers convey emotions and character motivations, while the music underscores these elements with its own emotional cues and tonal shifts. This synergy transforms the opera from a mere musical performance into a rich, immersive story-telling medium. The visual elements of acting paired with the auditory influence of music captivate audiences, making the characters and their stories more relatable and poignant.

Other choices do not leverage the essential relationship between music and drama. Solely focusing on music without dramatization would miss the crucial visual cues that acting provides. Emphasizing the stage set alone would detract from the emotional experiences that come from character interactions. Neglecting vocal performances in favor of instrumental focus would strip away the narrative integrity that comes from the characters telling their stories directly through the lyrics and their vocal expressions. Thus, the combination of acting and music in opera is fundamental to enhancing its storytelling power.