music drama

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noun

an opera having more or less continuous musical and dramatic activity without arias, recitatives, or ensembles.

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Compare number opera.

Origin of music drama

First recorded in 1875–80

Words nearby music drama

musicalize, musical ride, musical saw, music box, music centre, music drama, music hall, Music has charms to soothe a savage breast, musician, musicianship, music locker

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use music drama in a sentence

Music is a huge part of the tone of Black Dynamite overall—going back to the original 2009 movie on which the series is based.
‘Black Dynamite’ Presents Police Brutality: The Musical|Stereo Williams|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Rashad was there to celebrate the release of the Civil Rights drama Selma.
Phylicia Rashad and the Cult of Cosby Truthers|Stereo Williams|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
How about baby drama with little Abijean and the Wee Baby Seamus?
‘Archer’ Creator Adam Reed Spills Season 6 Secrets, From Surreal Plotlines to Life Post-ISIS|Marlow Stern|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
I gotta say—I think this past year was pretty bad for music.
Coffee Talk with Fred Armisen: On ‘Portlandia,’ Meeting Obama, and Taylor Swift’s Greatness|Marlow Stern|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST

What an amazing thing to be able to listen to any music you want, a whole world of bands.
Belle & Sebastian Aren’t So Shy Anymore|James Joiner|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Henry Rowley Bishop, a noted English music composer, died, aged 68.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
In Manila particularly, amidst the pealing of bells and strains of music, unfeigned enthusiasm and joy were everywhere evident.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
She was therefore prepared to sustain her part in the drama Routemberg was bringing on the tapis.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
He takes a turn up and down the room, looks at the music, and if the piece interests him, he will call upon you.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
A child outside the temple of art hears its music before he sees its veiled beauties.
Children's Ways|James Sully

British Dictionary definitions for music drama

music drama

noun

an opera in which the musical and dramatic elements are of equal importance and strongly interfused

the genre of such operas

Word Origin for music drama

C19: translation of German Musikdrama, coined by Wagner to describe his later operas

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012