What is the operetta?

operetta is a light opera in which not all words are sung - ie there is a spoken dialogue - and which may also include dance. The operettas are usually shorter than operas and are often comical. The form has evolved in Paris and its origin is associated with the work of Jacques Offenbach in the 1950s. For some time it was one of the most popular forms of music entertainment.

Because it includes a spoken dialogue, a strong libretto is necessary. The main librettist for Offenbach's operetta was Ludovic Heléy, who was one of the librettists for Carmen Georges Bizet. Hecto - Jonathan Crémieux wrote a libretto for Orpée aux enfers - in English, Orpheus in the underworld - the most famous of Offenbach's operettas, especially famous Cancan. Originally produced in 1858 was revised and re -released in 1874. His third operetta, DTJ. Fledermaus, Bat in English - which had a libretto based on the work of the Hallid and Henri Meilhac - it turned out to be permanent success after opening in the samem year as offenbach's revised Orpheus ; 1874.

In addition to Halévyho, he was another remarkable librettist of the operetta Englishman Sir William Schwenck Gilbert. In cooperation with his countryman Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan in pairing, thanks to which Cognomen Gilbert and Sullivan were famous worldwide, they created fourteen operettas, eleven of which were first performed in the 1970s and 80s.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, Die Lustige Witwe, Merry Widow in English, composed by Franz Lehár with Libemretto, which was based on the work of Mielhac, was the first broad success of the composer and also a commercially successful enterprise. Premiered in 1905.

The differences between operetta and the musical are not generally agreed. Operetta is more associated with Europe, while the musical is closely linked to the United States. The musical is considered an offshoot of entertainment called huPerformance comedy rather than operetta. Both use elements of singing and spoken words and dances to entertain the audience.