ehhhh.... Opera has story and structure, pop is just pretty boys and girls with ENHANCED voices and music. Pop isn't real, and no effort or structure is put into it, it's very similar to s.h.i.t in many ways.
I like opera better. I watched "Phantom of the Opera" and Christine's voice was stunning. There was a horrible singer in there and a great one. If you watch that movie, you'll never want to listen to pop again.