opera seria

noun, plural o·pe·ra se·rias, o·pe·ras se·ria, Italian o·pe·re se·rie [aw-pe-re se–rye] /ˈɔ pɛ rɛ ˈsɛ ryɛ/.

1. Italian dramatic opera of the 18th century based typically on a classical subject and characterized by extensive use of the aria da capo and recitative.

noun plural opere serie (Italian ˈopere ˈsɛːrje)

1. a type of opera current in 18th-century Italy based on a serious plot, esp a mythological tale