ballad opera

noun

1. a theater entertainment of 18th-century England, consisting of popular tunes, folk songs, and dialogue.

ballad opera

noun

1. an opera consisting of popular tunes to which appropriate words have been set, interspersed with spoken dialogue

Word History and Origins

Origin of ballad opera¹

First recorded in 1770–80

Example Sentences

It may be regarded as a species of prototype of the burletta or ballad opera of later days.

From Project Gutenberg

Charleston also claims the first performance of ballad opera on record in America .

From Project Gutenberg

It was one of the best examples of ballad-opera ever written.

From Project Gutenberg

In 1762 also was produced the ballad-opera Love in a Cottage.

From Project Gutenberg

Possibly from some old ballad opera, but more probably original.

From Project Gutenberg