Common Noun:
* When used to refer to the art form in general, "opera" is a common noun.
* Example: "I enjoy listening to opera."
Proper Noun:
* When referring to a specific opera, such as "The Marriage of Figaro" or "La Traviata", "opera" becomes part of the proper noun.
* Example: "I saw a production of The Marriage of Figaro last night."
So, it's important to consider the context to determine whether "opera" is being used as a common noun or a proper noun.