Ship first to feature in opera composition? (8)
I believe the answer is:
pinafore
'ship' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'first to feature in opera composition?' is the wordplay.
'first to' says to take the initial letters.
'composition?' is an anagram indicator (letters arranged or composed in a different order).
The initial letter of 'feature' is 'f'.
'f'+'in'+'opera'='finopera'
'finopera' is an anagram of 'PINAFORE'.
(Other definitions for pinafore that I've seen before include "Protective gear" , "'HMS - - ' G & S" , "Sleeveless apron-like dress" , "Apron-like garment" , "Protective garment worn over front" .)