What makes an operetta?
operetta, musical-dramatic production similar in structure to a light opera but characteristically having a romantically sentimental plot interspersed with songs, orchestral music, and rather elaborate dancing scenes, along with spoken dialogue.
What is an example of an operetta?
Singing pirates and lusty barmaids, shipwrecks, masked balls and young love — what do these things have in common? They’re all elements of popular operettas. In this lesson, explore operettas, composers who created them and famous examples.
What is a comic opera called?
comic opera, also called Light Opera, general designation for musical plays with light subject matter and happy endings. In addition to operetta and musical comedy, types of comic opera include Italian opera buffa (which has sung dialogue), German Singspiel, English ballad opera, and Spanish tonadilla and zarzuela.
How are operettas different from operas?
To put it simply, an operetta falls somewhere between an opera and a musical. Like a musical, an operetta (most often) contains spoken dialogue, as well as song. Operettas are often satirical and witty, and tend to be much shorter and less complex than traditional operas.
What is the difference between an operetta and Broadway?
Operatic technique often features more of what one may think of as an antique or classic style, very elegant, strong, and emotive; Broadway style features belting more often than gradual dynamic shift, vibrato is not often heard or even encouraged, and emotionality is expressed more with movement than with the voice ( …
What are examples of comic opera?
Examples include German singspiel, Viennese operetta, Spanish zarzuela, Russian comic opera, English ballad and Savoy opera, North American operetta and musical comedy.
What was comic opera in England called?
ballad opera
ballad opera, characteristic English type of comic opera, originating in the 18th century and featuring farcical or extravaganza plots. The music was mainly confined to songs interspersed in spoken dialogue.
How are Broadway musicals different from traditional operas?
An opera is primarily sung, whereas in a musical, the songs are interspersed with passages of dialogue. In both instances, it is drama and words that drive the action. There can often be bigger dancing numbers in musicals. In opera, the singing is split between arias, recitatives and bigger chorus numbers.
Are operas sung-through?
Operas and musicals are similar in that they are both performed as musical theatre, with a story, character distinctions and arias. Operas also tend to be continuous singing, although some musicals are sung through (eg Les Misérables).
Why is Hamilton not considered an opera?
The way I see it, the only reasons for Hamilton to be classified as a musical are two: It makes commercial sense – opera has a niche audience. Musicals still have wider acceptance into popular culture. Hamilton uses microphones and its actors do not use a ‘classical’ vocal technique.
How are operettas similar to a modern musical?
These operettas were the forerunners of our modern musicals, and in many ways resemble them more than they do the grand operas. Their songs and choruses — mostly light and comic in nature — are interspersed with spoken dialogue rather than recitative.
What are the names of the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas?
The Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas. 1 Thespis. The Gods on Mount Olympus are old and tired, so decide to take a vacation to earth while a group of traveling actors take their place. 2 Trial by Jury. 3 The Sorcerer. 4 The Pirates of Penzance.
How long is the Gilbert and Sullivan opera?
The witty, tuneful and very “English” piece was an immediate hit with Londoners. It is quite short, only forty minutes, and alone of the operas contains no spoken dialogue.