Crossword Genius

Opera and short story about artist going through reserves (2,8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

la traviata

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'opera' is the definition.
(Verdi opera)

'short story about artist going through reserves' is the wordplay.
'short story about' becomes 'lat' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'artist' becomes 'ra' (Royal Academician, member of Royal Academy of Arts).
'going through' becomes 'via' (I've seen this before).
'reserves' becomes 'ta' (I've seen this in other clues).
'lat'+'ra'+'via'+'ta'='LA TRAVIATA'

'and' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for la traviata that I've seen before include "work" , "Verdi opera" , "Verdi's Dumas opera" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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