What musical form is associated with operatic works?

The correct answer is associated with operatic works because “Opera” is a specific genre of music that encompasses various forms, including arias, recitatives, and ensembles, all of which are designed to tell a story through music and drama. Operas are theatrical productions that combine music, singing, acting, and sometimes dance to convey narratives.

In contrast, sonata form, theme and variations, and fugue are structural forms used within classical compositions but are not specific to opera. Sonata form is often utilized in symphonic and chamber works; theme and variations is a compositional technique often found in instrumental music; and fugue is a polyphonic form typically used in choral and keyboard works. While these forms may appear in operatic music, they do not define the genre itself in the way that "Opera" does. Understanding this distinction clarifies why the correct answer centers on the term specifically related to the operatic genre.