Opera-lover did hold opera composer (5)
I believe the answer is:
verdi
'opera composer' is the definition.
(Giuseppe Verdi 1813-1901)
'opera-lover did hold' is the wordplay.
'hold' says the answer is hidden in the clue (I've seen 'holding' mean this).
'VERDI' is hidden within 'opera lover did'.
(Other definitions for verdi that I've seen before include "Drive around to locate opera composer" , "Drive (anag) - composer" , "Drive to meet great composer" , "Nabucco composer" , "Italian composer (Aida)" .)