Difference between opera and operetta

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The difference between opera and operetta is sometimes a little difficult to explain. Especially if the companion suddenly asks what the difference is, you should be able to give a simple answer.

What is an opera or an operetta?
What is an opera or an operetta? © Gerd Altmann / Pixelio

This is what you can expect from opera and operetta

  • An opera is primarily geared towards music, it is the representation of an action in a unified musical work. The main thing here is the music and the vocal performance, with the acting design being marginalized.
  • The operetta is more about the acting act, which is loosened up with music. The actors perform songs during the plot, for example a love scene ends in a joint duet. Overall, the operetta is geared more towards entertainment and is similar to the musical.

This is how you explain the difference between the performances

  • Since the plot is less important than the musical performance in an opera, it may well be that it should You can calmly tell your companion that the plot of the opera is sometimes not understandable through the performance alone will. It certainly makes sense to first acquire the plot through appropriate literature. Of course, you can also give yourself primarily to musical enjoyment, similar to a concert. It is not uncommon for operas to be performed in Italian.
  • In the opera you can expect great vocal performances, arias in which the sound of the voice is more important than the text. Some parts of arias simply consist of strings of vowels. It's about the sound, less about the words.
  • In the operetta your companion hardly needs to prepare for the action, this is done through the lyrics and the Acting always understandable, this should ultimately be presented in the operetta through language and acting will.
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  • Unlike in opera, in operetta you will often come across melodies that you have often encountered as "hits", which can also be sung by inexperienced people. The songs have more of a folk song character. Often you can refer to well-known songs such as "Bin nur ein Johnny" (The flower of Hawaii), "There is a soldier on the Volga rim" (Tsarevich) or "If you give yourself roses in Tirol" (bird dealer).

Clear differences between opera and operetta

  • Explain to your companion that the opera does not speak as usual, but rather the entire action is sung, at best a kind of spoken chant will occur, while in the operetta normal dialogues are interrupted by songs will.
  • You cannot expect a happy ending at the opera, most operas end tragically. Tragic deaths occur in operas but not in operettas.
  • In the opera you are confronted with the great feelings: love, jealousy and abandonment. While the operetta is about being in love and banter and usually a typical happy ending takes place.

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