operettan.
/ˌɒpəˈrɛtə/, U.S. /ˌɑpəˈrɛdə/ A short, originally one-act, opera, usually on a light or humorous theme. Now also: the genre of music characteristic of such works.
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society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > vocal music > opera > [noun] > type of
comic opera1706
grand opera1720
operetta1741
opera comique1742
burletta1748
opera buffa1783
mezzo carattere1806
opera seria1808
light opera1813
tragédie lyrique1823
opera semiseria1825
opera bouffe1842
operette1871
rescue opera1943
Peking opera1953
monodrama1954
opera magica1956
pop opera1964
bouffe-
1741 G. F. Handel (title) The favourite songs in the operetta call'd Hymen.
1770 Monthly Rev. 280 They sometimes give operattas that are charming.
1776 T. A. Arne (title) Phoebe at court, an operetta, of two acts. Written originally by R. Lloyd, Esq.
1817 Examiner No. 505. 554 The new Operetta produced here, called Fire and Water.
1865 Once a Week 12 235 Operetta, a coinage which was first introduced at the Lyceum, or English Opera House.
1884 St. James's Gaz. 10 Apr. 5/2 On Monday a comic opera or operetta..is to be brought out.
1912 W. R. Titterton From Theatre to Music Hall ii. i. 117 Viennese operetta, luscious and swirly.
1959 L. Bernstein Joy of Mus. (1960) 167 The operetta score..was musically elaborate, closer to opera, even containing finales, with everybody singing his way through the plot.
1990 Opera Now May 103 (advt.) Arrangements made for individuals or groups including flights, hotel accommodation and tickets for opera, operetta, concerts and Spanish riding school as required.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1741