[Fiji Hill]

If I remember correctly, all of the dialog is sung, so “Tommy” should qualify as an opera.

[I Shall Endure]

And “Tommy” follows the Wagnerian conceit of having a leitmotif for each character.

[Borges]

There are operas that have spoke dialogue. Carmen, Tales of Hoffman among many others. Just like there are musicals that are sung through (Les Miz, Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera). That’s not the determining factor.