fouropera

Fouropera is a term used in musicology to describe a cycle or set of four operas that are linked by narrative continuity, shared mythic or thematic concerns, or a common musical language. It is not a formal genre with a fixed rubric; rather, it functions as a descriptive label applied by scholars and programmers to discuss how four operas are intended to function together as a single, extended work.

The most famous four-opera cycle is Richard Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen, completed in the 1870s. The four operas—Das Rheingold, Die Walküre, Siegfried, and Götterdämmerung—are designed to be performed in sequence and to form an overarching dramatic and musical arc, with recurring motifs and characters threading through the cycle.

Typical characteristics of a fouropera cycle include interrelated plot threads, recurring leitmotifs, and a long performative span that may require multiple days or performances to present in full. The cycle often invites festival-style programming and careful staging to maintain continuity across installments.

Outside Wagner, the identification of a four-opera cycle is rarer and varies by era and culture. Some modern composers and theater companies have pursued four-part relationships or festivals built around four new or revised operas, but there is no universal template. The label fouropera thus serves mainly as a heuristic in scholarly discussions and festival programming.