light operan.
/ˌlʌɪt ˈɒp(ə)rə/, U.S. /ˌlaɪd ˈɑp(ə)rə/ An opera on a light or humorous theme; (as a mass noun) such works as a genre.
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society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > vocal music > opera > [noun] > type of
comic opera1706
grand opera1720
operetta1741
opera comique1742
burletta1748
opera buffa1783
mezzo carattere1806
opera seria1808
light opera1813
tragédie lyrique1823
opera semiseria1825
opera bouffe1842
operette1871
rescue opera1943
Peking opera1953
monodrama1954
opera magica1956
pop opera1964
bouffe-
1813 Antigallican Monitor & Anti-Corsican Chron. 31 Jan. 856/1 Mr. C. Smith, composer of several light operas, was loudly and deservedly applauded.
1907 Times 10 June 4/3 The Merry Widow..is a genuine light opera.
1987 C. Hayter Gilbert & Sullivan i. 16 D'Oyly Carte determined to keep the librettist and composer together, for he saw in them the means of establishing an English school of light opera.
2004 N.Y. Times 14 Jan. ii. 29/2 Mr. Jurosko toils in the world of light opera, a high-talent, low-glamour backwater of the performing arts, where pure singing, rapid-fire recitative skills and comic timing are taken for granted.
Compounds
As a modifier, with the sense ‘relating to, involved in, or concerned with light opera’.
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1823 Edinb. Mag. & Literary Misc. Aug. 207 Walter had seen the world, and..Could beat poor Braham hollow in a song, and rival Vestris in light opera dances.
1845 Anglo Amer. 17 May 94/1 The second tenore is a very pleasing light opera singer.
1883 Chicago's First Half Cent. iii. 53/1 Music is the specialty of the house, all the important light opera companies of the country having bookings here.
1954 Digester Nov. 7 A thunderous group of light opera numbers..gave the audience a treat which they will not forget.
2020 T. S. Hischak Mikado to Matilda 248 The operetta [sc. The Sorcerer]..was more frequently seen Off-Broadway, in schools, and at light opera festivals.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2021).
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n.1813