Opus Numbers Record Publication, Not Composition
An opus is a work, especially a musical one. Its number says less than people assume.
An opus is a work, particularly a musical composition identified by number. Opus numbers are often assumed to give the order of composition, but they record the order of publication, which is not the same thing. A composer might publish an early piece late, or a publisher might assign numbers in batches, which is why several catalogues of major composers had to be rebuilt from scratch by scholars. Latin *opus*, work, gives *opera* (literally works, its plural), *operate* and *manoeuvre*, from *manu opera*, work by hand.
- A musical work. *Opus 27.*
- Any creative work. *A magnum opus.*
- Opera — the plural. *Opera.*
- Opus number. *An opus number.*
- Latin — *opus*, work. *The root.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | opus | An opus. |
| Plural | opera or opuses | Opuses. |
| Compound | magnum opus | A magnum opus. |
| Related | operate | To operate. |
| Latin | opus | Work. |
- The sonata is opus 27.Music.
- His magnum opus.Masterwork.
- Opera is the Latin plural.Grammar.
The opus family
- Opera — literally works, the plural of opus
- Operate — to work
- Cooperate — to work together
- Manoeuvre — from *manu opera*, work by hand
- Officina — a workshop, giving office
Latin *opus*, work, adopted as a musical term in the 1600s.
Do opus numbers show when a piece was written?
No. They record the order of publication, which can differ considerably from the order of composition.
Is opera related to opus?
Yes. Opera is the Latin plural of opus, literally meaning works.