What Is the Difference Between Opera and Operetta? | The Classical Music Minute
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Send us Fan Mail What is the difference between opera and operetta? In this episode of The Classical Music Minute, we explore two closely related forms of musical theatre. Opera is usually larger in scale and often more serious in tone, with music driving the drama from beginning to end. Many operas deal with intense themes such as love, tragedy, power, fate, and betrayal. Operetta, whose name means “little opera,” is generally lighter and more comic. It often includes spoken dialogue, catchy...
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