Crossword Genius

Operatic melody about large country (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

algeria

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'country' is the definition.
(I know that Algeria is African country)

'operatic melody about large' is the wordplay.
'operatic melody' becomes 'aria' (I've seen this in another clue).
'about' is an insertion indicator.
'large' becomes 'lge' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'aria' placed around 'lge' is 'ALGERIA'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for algeria that I've seen before include "republic in Africa" , "North-west African country" , "It lies between Morocco and Tunisia" , "N. African country" , "country in Africa" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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