French Conversation · Level 61
71 words
French word
opéra-comique
Pronunciation
IPA/opeʁakomik/
Meaning
- masculine nouncomic opera
Example
Hier, j'ai entendu un extrait d'un opéra-comique à la radio.
Yesterday, I heard an excerpt from a comic opera on the radio.
More examples
On a parlé de l'opéra-comique pendant la pause.
They talked about comic opera during the break.
Core concept
A stage performance where sung numbers and spoken scenes take turns within one dramatic work.
Common phrases
l'enregistrement d'un opéra-comique
the recording of a comic opera
voir une représentation d'opéra-comique
to see a comic opera performance
Similar words
opéra: A stage work centered on singing, with little spoken dialogue.
comédie musicale: A stage or film work combining songs, spoken dialogue, and dancing.
opérette: A short, light entertainment combining music and spoken dialogue on stage.
Definition in French
Genre d'opéra qui alterne des airs chantés et des dialogues parlés, apparu en France au XVIIIe siècle.
Word origin
The French term combines Italian opera, meaning a musical work, with French comique and names a genre that developed in eighteenth-century France.
Usage tips
- Despite comique, the term identifies a genre with spoken dialogue and does not simply mean a funny opera.