Comic opera

Comic opera denotes a sung dramatic work of a light or comic nature, usually with a happy ending.

Forms of comic opera first developed in late 17th-century Italy. By the 1730s, a new operatic genre, opera buffa, emerged as an alternative to opera seria. It quickly made its way to France, where it became opéra bouffon, and eventually, in the following century, French operetta, with Jacques Offenbach as its most accomplished practitioner.

The influence of the Italian and French forms spread to other parts of Europe. Many countries developed their own genres of comic opera, incorporating the Italian and French models along with their own musical traditions. Examples include Viennese operetta, German singspiel, Spanish zarzuela, Russian comic opera, English ballad opera, and Savoy Opera.

Italian comic opera

In late 17th-century Italy, light-hearted musical plays began to be offered as an alternative to weightier opera seria (17th-century Italian opera based on classical mythology). Il Trespolo tutore (1679) by Alessandro Stradella (16391682) was an early precursor of opera buffa. The opera has a farcical plot, and the characters of the ridiculous guardian Trespolo and the maid Despina are prototypes of characters widely used later in the opera buffa genre.

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Latest News for: light opera

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COVID shutdown, first deaths in NJ: This week in Central Jersey history, March 17-23

My Central Jersey 17 Mar 2025
Gov ... Saturday, March 21, 2020, due to the coronavirus ... March 18, 2020 ... March 20 ... Soap opera star Amy Ecklund, of Guiding Light, who had cochlear implant surgery to restore her hearing, spoke to students at Benjamin Franklin Elementary School in Edison.
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Orange County high school Artist of the Year 2025: Vocal music nominees

Orange County Register 16 Mar 2025
As a member of our all of our schools music programs, she has been a top student delving into light opera and foreign language pieces as well as musical theater, pop and jazz ... She plans to pursue a career in opera and I have no doubt she will succeed.
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Boulder-area events for Friday, March 14: “The Pirates of Penzance” performance at Macky

Daily Camera 14 Mar 2025
With familiar tunes, stunning visuals and exceptional talent, the CU Boulder College of Music Eklund Opera Program brings Gilbert and Sullivan’s hilarious hijinks to life with a whole lot of pirate swagger ...Testing 1-2-3” opera concert.
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Boulder-area events for Thursday, March 13: Six Foot Blonde performance at Velvet Elk Lounge

Daily Camera 13 Mar 2025
Testing 1-2-3” opera concert ... Attend a special concert series at a potential new home for Boulder Opera ... scenes from a variety of beloved operas. Drinks and light snacks will be available.
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Theater in March ends like a lion

The Saratogian 12 Mar 2025
CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. — The next couple of weeks audiences can experience the full gamut of what theater is able to offer ... On Friday, March 14, Schenectady Light Opera Company offers a prequel to the Peter Pan story ... It plays until March 30 ... ....
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Light of Passage

British Theatre Guide 11 Mar 2025
... Pite's Light of Passage Credit ... Light of Passage is a poignant slice of dance that funnels sadness and drama through the multitude of bodies that fill every inch of stage at the Royal Opera House.
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‘The Bondsman’ star Kevin Bacon on the role he has no interest in resurrecting

The Los Angeles Times 07 Mar 2025
One past role Bacon wouldn't bring back from the dead? His role as Tim the teenage alcoholic on the soap opera “Guiding Light.” See more of our ...
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HK creativity set to shine bright at WestK Shanghai Week in June 

Hong Kong Standard 06 Mar 2025
... Wanping Theatre on June 20 and 21, combining traditional opera performance with contemporary stage and lighting design to portray the relationship between Xiang Tu and Consort Yuji (Concubine Yu).
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Lakeland Community College Jazz Festival celebrates 53 years

Waurika News Journal 05 Mar 2025
28. Performances will be held at the Dr. Wayne L ... The event, which runs from 9 a.m ... After her stint with the orchestra, she continued performing locally with various groups, including Canton Comic Opera and Red Light Roxy ... Free parking is available ... ....
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Rika Woo juggles life as Cantonese opera and J-Pop artiste

Asahi News 04 Mar 2025
The city’s iconic Cantonese opera house, Sunbeam Theatre - open since 1972 - closes in March ... For opera, Woo was influenced by her grandfather who worked on lighting for Cantonese operas. She now also teaches Cantonese opera in schools.
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Olivier awards 2025: complete list of nominations

The Observer 04 Mar 2025
Duke Bluebeard’s Castle by English National Opera at London Coliseum. Festen by the Royal Opera at Royal Opera House. L’Olimpiade by Irish National Opera and the Royal Opera at Royal Opera House.
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Partial lease on the table for Balboa Park’s decaying Starlight Bowl, but future still uncertain

The San Diego Union-Tribune 04 Mar 2025
28 letter ...That’s something we’re not that interested in, to be honest ... The Starlight Bowl was previously operated by the San Diego Civic Light Opera, which staged musical performances, choirs and symphonies until 2010 ... Proposals were due by Nov. 14 ... .
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Light of Passage – a mesmerising meditation on loss, grief and hope

The Guardian 02 Mar 2025
Royal Opera House, London ... Light of Passage is at the Royal Opera House, London, until 12 March ....
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