operetta
1operetta — /ope ret:a/ s.f. [dim. di opera ]. (mus.) [genere di teatro musicale di carattere leggero e sentimentale, in cui si alternano canto, dialoghi, danza e scene corali] ▶◀ ‖ opera (lirica), vaudeville, zarzuela. ▲ Locuz. prep.: fig., da operetta… …
2operetta — light opera, 1775, from It. operetta, dim. of OPERA (Cf. opera) …
3Operetta — Op er*et ta, n. [It., dim. of opera.] (Mus.) A short, light, musical drama. [1913 Webster] …
4operetta — ит. [опэрэ/тта], англ. [опэрэ/тэ] opérette фр. [опэрэ/т] Operette нем. [опэрэ/тэ] оперетта …
5operetta — ► NOUN ▪ a short opera on a light or humorous theme. ORIGIN Italian, little opera …
6operetta — [äp΄ə ret′ə] n. [It, dim. of opera,OPERA1] a light, amusing opera with spoken dialogue …
7Operetta — The audience at the Théâtre des Bouffes Parisiens, the birthplace of Offenbach s operettas (1860) Operetta is a genre of light opera, light in terms both of music and subject matter. It is also closely related, in English language works, to forms …
8operetta — operettist, n. /op euh ret euh/, n. a short opera, usually of a light and amusing character. [1760 70; < It, dim. of opera OPERA1] * * * Musical drama similar to opera, usually with a romantically sentimental plot, employing songs, dances, and… …
9operetta — The term operetta derives from French, German, and Italian sources, but in common usage it suggests a small or light opera. In America, operetta gained popularity when Jacques Offenbach s opéra bouffe works first appeared in the 1860s and, in… …
10Operetta — A diverting form of musical entertainment still closely associated with Vienna, operettas are frequently performed in quarters such as the “People’s Opera” (Volksoper). Their composers were some of the most famous names in the history of… …