Opera was decidedly a European invention exalting drama to the heights of music.
I see it as a larger picture of what could be called musical theater. It's interesting to see the overlap when Stephen Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd" can be performed by the New York Opera Company as well as opera revivals of "Porgy and Bess".

In order for opera to survive as a relevant art form, new approaches must be taken to fix the many creaky libretti. (Boito and Verdi exempted here, also The Magic Flute).

The opera singer is an amazing athlete of the voice and to understand it requires some folkies to put on a different set of ears.

To criticize opera as being pretentious is narrow minded. It is a unique art form and an interesting musical world. I enjoy Philip Glass in his approach to opera. I can't quite grok "Vozzeck" however though I do appreciate Berg's musicianship.

The standard repertory of opera tried-and-true makes up for its libretti by a melding of scenery, musicianship, compositional prowess and beautiful voices.