opéra comique

American  

[op-er-uh ko-meek, op-ruh, aw-pey-ra kaw-meek] / ˈɒp ər ə kɒˈmik, ˈɒp rə, ɔ peɪ ra kɔˈmik /

noun

opéra comiques, plural opéras comique, plural operas comiques plural

1. comic opera.

---

opéra comique British  

/ kɒˈmiːk, ɔpera kɔmik /

noun

1. a type of opera, not necessarily comic, current in France during the 19th century and characterized by spoken dialogue. It originated in satirical parodies of grand opera

---

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• opéra comiques
  plural
• operas comiques
  plural
• opéras comique
  plural

Etymology

Origin of opéra comique

Borrowed into English from French around 1735–45

Example Sentences

Gaveaux’s setting emphasizes that celebration of domestic bliss, in keeping with the conventions of opéra comique.

From New York Times • Feb. 24, 2017

He had composed his work within the conventions of opéra comique, in which musical numbers are separated by spoken dialogue.

From The Guardian • Jan. 12, 2011

Although his genius was naturally of a serious and dignified cast, Méhul wrote many works in a lighter vein, partly no doubt in emulation of Grétry, the prince of opéra comique.

From The Opera A Sketch of the Development of Opera. With full Descriptions of all Works in the Modern Repertory. by Fuller-Maitland, J. A.

There had been a kind of opéra comique in France for many years, a species of musical pantomime which was very popular at the fairs of St. Laurent and St. Gervais.

From The Opera A Sketch of the Development of Opera. With full Descriptions of all Works in the Modern Repertory. by Fuller-Maitland, J. A.

In the season proper Mr. Hammerstein tried to give opéra comique, as he politely called it, though it was largely opéra bouffe, and when the experiment proved a failure he courageously abandoned it.

From Chapters of Opera Being historical and critical observations and records concerning the lyric drama in New York from its earliest days down to the present time by Krehbiel, Henry Edward