Opera

See Copyright; Musical Compositions.

A composition of a dramatic kind, set to music and sung, accompanied with musical instruments, and enriched with appropriate costumes, scenery, ete. The house in which operas are represented is termed an “opera-house.” 1 Pittsb. R. 71.

A composition of a dramatic kind set to music and sung, accompanied 1 Wilson V. Janes, 29 Kan. 260 (1883). ^ City of Topeka v. Russam, 30 Kan. 569 (1883). ' State V. Wertzel, 62 Wis. 190 (1885). < Hobart v. Hobart, 45 Iowa, 604 (187!'). » 3 Bl. Com. 48. » See Thompson v. Kenyon, 100 Mass. Ill (1868). with musical instruments, and enriched with appropi-iate costumes, scenery, etc.' Opera bouse. The house in which operas are represented. i A dedication to the public of the arrangement of a musical composition for the piano does not dedicate what it does not contain and what cannot be reproduced from it, and an unauthorized person does not therefore possess the right to perform such composition as set for an orchestra, although he have an opportunity to copy it. An opera is more like a patented invention than a common book, as to the rule that he who obtaius similar results, better or worse, by similar means, though the opportunity is furnished by an unprotected book, should be held to infringe the rights of the composer.' A performance on the stage is not such a publication as will destroy the exclusive common-law rightof the author and his assigns to a dramatic or lyrical composition of this sort, though the composer as an alien is not entitled to the benefits of our law of statutory copyright.'' See Composition, 1, Musical; Cdpvright; Drama; Theater. Opera glass. See Baggage.