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What are the main differences between a symphony and an opera?
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The main difference between a symphony and an opera is that a symphony is typically composed of four movements, while an opera can have up to five or more. A symphony usually has a larger orchestra, with two violins, one viola, one cello, one bass, one contrabass, and sometimes additional instruments such as a piano, trumpet, trombone, and timpani. An opera will often feature singers in addition to the instrumentalists. Additionally, a symphony is generally played at a slower tempo than an opera.