comic opera

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comic opera

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h2g2 - The Comic Operas of Gilbert and Sullivan

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comic opera - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

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comic opera - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

Also known as: light opera

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Last Updated: Mar 9, 2024 • Article History

Category: Arts & Culture

Also called:: Light Opera

Key People:: Christoph Willibald Gluck; Arthur Sullivan; Thomas Chatterton; W.S. Gilbert; Domenico Cimarosa

Related Topics:: zarzuela; operetta; opéra-comique; opera buffa; opéra bouffe

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comic opera, general designation for musical plays with light subject matter and happy endings. The dialogue is usually spoken, rather than sung. 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. The French opéra-comique originated as comic opera but later dealt with serious subject matter.