operetta
Loading your saved state.
operetta
A form of musical theater that is more cheerful and lighter than an opera. It often contains spoken dialogue between the sung numbers.
Am Wochenende besuchen wir eine Aufführung der Operette „Die Fledermaus“.
At the weekend, we're going to a performance of the operetta “Die Fledermaus.”
The ending '-ette' is a diminutive form from Italian. An 'Operette' (operetta) is therefore literally a 'little opera,' which describes its lighter and often cheerful character well.
Viele Melodien aus Operetten sind sehr bekannt und eingängig.
Many melodies from operettas are very well known and catchy.
The word belongs to the word family of 'die Oper' (opera). Unlike the often serious opera, an operetta typically also contains spoken dialogue and has a more entertaining plot.
Sie mag keine Opern, aber für eine lustige Operette ist sie immer zu haben.
She doesn't like operas, but she's always up for a funny operetta.
Common verbs used with this word are 'eine Operette besuchen' (to attend an operetta), 'eine Operette aufführen' (to perform an operetta), or 'in eine Operette gehen' (to go to an operetta).
Das Stadttheater führt diesen Winter eine berühmte Operette auf.
The municipal theater is performing a famous operetta this winter.
opera / opera house
'die Oper' and 'die Operette' both belong to musical theater with singing and a stage. The difference lies in the style: an opera is usually more serious and more strongly carried by singing and orchestra. An operetta is lighter, often funnier, and frequently contains spoken dialogue between the songs. The words can be confused because both are performed and sung on a stage. If it is a large, classical music drama, 'Oper' is more likely to fit. If it is more cheerful and lighter, 'Operette' is more likely to fit.
Am Samstag sieht sich meine Tante eine lustige Operette an.
On Saturday, my aunt is going to see a funny operetta.
In der Oper singt die Hauptfigur fast die ganze Zeit.
In the opera, the main character sings almost the whole time.