Operetta vs. Opera — What's the Difference?

Operetta is a form of theatre and a genre of light opera. It includes spoken dialogue, songs, and dances.

Opera is a form of theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by singers, but is distinct from musical theatre. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically a collaboration between a composer and a librettist and incorporates a number of the performing arts, such as acting, scenery, costume, and sometimes dance or ballet.

A theatrical production that has many of the musical elements of opera but is lighter and more popular in subject and style and contains spoken dialogue. Also called light opera.

A theatrical presentation in which a dramatic performance is set to music.

(music) A lighter version of opera with a frivolous story and spoken dialogue. 18

The score of such a work.

A short, light, musical drama.

A theater designed primarily for operas.

A short amusing opera

A plural of opus.

A creative work, especially a musical composition numbered to designate the order of a composer's works.

(music) A theatrical work, combining drama, music, song and sometimes dance.

(music) The score for such a work.

A building designed for the performance of such works; an opera house.

A company dedicated to performing such works.

(by extension) Any showy, melodramatic or unrealistic production resembling an opera.

Plural of opus; a collection of work.

A drama, either tragic or comic, of which music forms an essential part; a drama wholly or mostly sung, consisting of recitative, arias, choruses, duets, trios, etc., with orchestral accompaniment, preludes, and interludes, together with appropriate costumes, scenery, and action; a lyric drama.

The score of a musical drama, either written or in print; a play set to music.

The house where operas are exhibited.

A drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes

Theater where opera is performed