* Italian: The birthplace of opera, Italian is still the most prevalent language in the genre. Many classic operas, like those by Verdi, Puccini, and Rossini, are written in Italian.
* French: French opera, particularly in the 17th and 18th centuries, played a significant role in the development of the genre. Famous examples include works by Lully, Rameau, and Gounod.
* German: German opera, particularly in the 19th century, saw the rise of composers like Wagner and Strauss, whose works are still performed regularly.
* English: While less common historically, English-language operas have become more prevalent in recent times. Composers like Britten and Bernstein have written popular works in English.
* Other languages: Operas have been composed in many other languages, including Russian, Spanish, Czech, and even Latin.
It's important to note that many operas are performed in languages other than the original language, with the lyrics being translated into the language of the audience. This allows wider access to the art form and ensures the story and emotions are still understood.