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I consider the word issue to be a loose synonym of the word problem. Can I use the word issue to refer to the scope of problems discussed in some work of art? For example, the opera's issue? By the way, can I call an opera work of art or this term can be applied only to pictures, scuptures and stuff like that?

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  • Some more context in how you would use it would help. Do you mean to use The opera's issue ... to say The only problem with the opera was ... ?
    – Frank
    Jun 20, 2014 at 8:48

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Opera's issue does not sound correct to me, but so does opera's problem. You could say, however:

The problem of segregation is raised in this work.

The issue of racism was addressed in this play.

As for opera being a work of art, I don't see a problem with that, but work of art is usually referred to a physical object. Still:

Used more broadly, the term [work of art] is less commonly applied to:

  • A fine work of architecture or landscape design
  • A production of live performance, such as theater, ballet, opera, performance art, musical concert and other performing arts, and other ephemeral, non-tangible creations.
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  • Vilmar, thank you very much for this full answer! The only difficulty is that I want to refer to the scope of problems, discussed in the opera, while the phrase "the scope of problems, discussed in the opera" is too long for a header. But if I say “On the opera's problem” if would mean that there is only one problem discussed in the opera, am I wrong?
    – BukvaCe
    Jun 20, 2014 at 8:42
  • To me when I see "the opera's problem", I would first think that there was a problem with the opera (e.g. the actors performed poorly). Though that is only my opinion :)
    – Vilmar
    Jun 20, 2014 at 8:52
  • Well, hah, how would you express my thought than?
    – BukvaCe
    Jun 20, 2014 at 9:04
  • I would stick with your initial phrase, you could omit "scope of" to shorten the phrase: "the problems/issues discussed/raised/addressed in the opera..."
    – Vilmar
    Jun 20, 2014 at 9:14

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