Operetta originally meant a short Opera [17th century]. By 19th century it became associated with comic Opera or any such like considered less 'serious' than operas. Most operettas can be described as 'light' operas - good examples are the works of Gilbert and Sullivan. Although as with all labels in music, the distinction has become blurred. Basically there is no difference between the scores for an opera and an operetta - except for the operetta's lightness.
Opera is mostly 100% singing and operetta is roughly 70% sung and 30% spoken.
An operetta is a type of light opera. An opera-bouffe is a special type of operetta that was specifically introduced by Jacques Offenbach.
Operetta originally meant a short opera [17th century]. By 19th century it became associated with comic opera or any such like considered less 'serious' than operas. Most operettas can be described as 'light' operas - good examples are the works of Gilbert and Sullivan. Although as with all labels in music, the distinction has become blurred. Basically there is no difference between the scores for an opera and an operetta - except for the operetta's lightness.
Operetta - 'little opera' - Strictly a play with an overture, songs, dances etc. However it has become synonymous with 'light opera'. Operetta originally meant a short opera [17th century]. By 19th century it became associated with comic opera or any such like considered less 'serious' than operas. Most operettas can be described as 'light' operas - good examples are the works of Gilbert and Sullivan. Although as with all labels in music, the distinction has become blurred. Basically there is no difference between the scores for an opera and an operetta - except for the operetta's lightness.
The operetta
Opera is mostly 100% singing and operetta is roughly 70% sung and 30% spoken.
An operetta is a type of light opera. An opera-bouffe is a special type of operetta that was specifically introduced by Jacques Offenbach.
Operetta originally meant a short opera [17th century]. By 19th century it became associated with comic opera or any such like considered less 'serious' than operas. Most operettas can be described as 'light' operas - good examples are the works of Gilbert and Sullivan. Although as with all labels in music, the distinction has become blurred. Basically there is no difference between the scores for an opera and an operetta - except for the operetta's lightness.
Operetta - 'little opera' - Strictly a play with an overture, songs, dances etc. However it has become synonymous with 'light opera'. Operetta originally meant a short opera [17th century]. By 19th century it became associated with comic opera or any such like considered less 'serious' than operas. Most operettas can be described as 'light' operas - good examples are the works of Gilbert and Sullivan. Although as with all labels in music, the distinction has become blurred. Basically there is no difference between the scores for an opera and an operetta - except for the operetta's lightness.
Operetta is the daughter of the phantom of the opera
Operetta is a noun. It's a short opera.
Operetta is daughter of The Phantom of the Opera.
The operetta
The Tales of Hoffmann - Les contes d'Hoffmann - is an opera by Jacques Offenbach. It is not classed as an operetta. It is a drama set to music, that makes it opera.
Operetta
In some types of opera and operetta, there is spoken dialog between musical numbers to advance the plot. But in "Grand Opera", traditionally every word of what would normally be dialog is sung.
An opera is a play set to music with props costumes scenery and lighting. It is usually peformed by an orchestra, soloists and chorus, whilst a play is just a drama, a story. A play is an acted out story with spoken scenes. A play with singing scattered between spoken scenes is a musical or operetta. An opera is a play in which all words are sung.