A
rock opera is a work of
rock music that presents a storyline told over multiple parts, songs or sections; however, it is not an opera. A rock opera differs from a conventional rock album, which usually includes songs that are not unified by a common theme or narrative. More recent developments include
metal opera,
punk rock opera, and
rap opera (sometimes also called hip-hopera). In Russia, rock opera may be known as
zong-opera (Зонг-опера).