Final answer:
While the materials highlight Edgar Degas's impact on portraying ballet in art, the elevation of opera and dance in ballet to a professional art form was a collective effort by various artists and innovators over different periods, and cannot be attributed to a single individual.
Step-by-step explanation:
The elevation of opera and dance in ballet from mere entertainment to a professional art form is a result of the evolution of performance styles and the dedication of various artists who contributed to these art forms over the centuries. While the reference materials provided mention several artists and contributors, the transformation of ballet and opera into recognized high art can largely be attributed to a collective effort rather than a single individual. Innovators in ballet such as Jean-Georges Noverre and Marius Petipa, and opera composers like Richard Wagner and Claudio Monteverdi, among others, all played significant roles in advancing these arts. However, the material provided focuses more on the contributions of Edgar Degas to the portrayal of ballet through his art, capturing the essence and movement of dancers, rather than someone explicitly credited with the elevation of the status of ballet and opera. Degas was known for his detailed and expressive works that often depicted ballet dancers, bringing attention to the art form during the late 19th century.
In the broader context of arts history, multiple individuals across different periods have contributed substantially to changing the public perception of opera and ballet, making it difficult to credit a singular person with this transformation.