A grand musical work takes time (5)

I believe the answer is:

opera

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

'a grand musical' is the definition.
'opera' can be an answer for 'musical' (I've seen this before). I am not sure about the 'a grand' bit.

'work takes time' is the wordplay.
'work' becomes 'op' (abbreviation for opus).
'takes' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'time' becomes 'era' (an era is a period of time).
'op'+'era'='OPERA'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for opera that I've seen before include "Die Meistersinger is one" , ""The Magic Flute", for example" , "Music and drama production" , "Musical 11 across" , "Grand or comic work?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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