Essay Example on Opera, Operetta, and Musicals: 3 Theatrical Forms

Introduction

An opera refers to a drama that is set to music, made up of vocalic pieces with symphonic complement and orchestral overtures and interludes. An operetta is a form of theater often called a 'short opera,' comprising of light or comical theme and characteristically having spoken dialogues. Musicals are forms of theatrical routines that combine spoken dialogues, songs, acting, and dance all together. Opera, Operetta, and Musicals are three almost identical theatrical forms, although they have diverse histories.

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Operas

An opera is a form of theater comprising of staged drama set to music. It entails vocal pieces accompanied by instrumental support, orchestral overtures and interludes. Operas were developed in the west of Europe and primarily relished in the royal palaces of Italy and France in the 17th century (Baughman, 2014). Operas arose after productions whose primary function was to impress the visiting dignitaries in a bid to polish the rulers' images (Baughman, 2014). The first noticeable opera Monteverdi's Orfeo, told a story using songs and music (Baughman, 2014). It had its debut performance staged in Mantua, Italy, in 1607 (Baughman, 2014). Operas encompassed an array of processions, dancing, intervals of acting, and employing the use of costumes. It exploited voice, and artists had to project their voice to the highest possible level to communicate with their audience.

Operetta

An operetta is a class of light opera. A musical theater refers to a form of theatrical performance combining spoken dialogue, songs, dancing, and acting. It has a close association with both musical and opera in several ways; it can also get defined as a short opera (Baughman, 2014). The term 'operetta' began as a stage performance tag. It was shorter and a little robust compared to operas. Operettas attained an enormous reputation in America by the 19th century; they synonymously shared a name with stage plays that had music that was overall more of a satire as well as ridiculous (Baughman, 2014).

Musicals

Musicals encompass singing and dancing. In musicals, singing gets interspersed with some passages of dialogues, unlike in opera, where the song does not stop. Musical storylines are expeditious, stagy with intense and catchy tunes that captivate the audience (Lewis, 2015). Musicals were initially played in England in the 19th century, where enactments were combining comic stories with songs and dances (Lewis, 2015). Modern musicals were first exhibited in Broadway Theater, New York (Lewis, 2015). It resulted in musicals shaping to entertaining and captivating music shows. Musicals entail using costumes, singers, and choreographed dancing that can be demanding. It involves; a composer writing the music and a choreographer dancing in sequences that match the song (Lewis, 2015).

Comparison and Their History

Musical theater, opera, and operetta have different requirements from their actors and actresses. In operas, the considered primary skill is the singer's singing skills and ability. It is different in the auditions of a musical theater that is more complex. A musical theater is a play that encompasses some music. When auditioning for a musical theater, one has to consider the singer's voice acting skills, dancing skills, and stature.

The significant differences between operas and operettas are set by their perfection goals and used musical scores. Opera exploits the voice, where communication with the audience is critical. The artist has to project their voice to the highest possible level. It involves opera singers warming up their voices with plenty of vibratos. Operetta, use a spoken word kind of singing. Operetta singers, therefore, do not have to strain much. In musicals, words are critical and essential as the music. In operas, music is prioritized and in captivating the audience's attention. Operetta artists can use microphones to amplify their voices or use their head voice to give a big sound, hence less use of heavy vibrato.

Operettas can be distinguished from both musical theater and opera due to their short nature. Operettas are comical, amusing, and entertaining. Operas are longer and have more profound content with dramatic elements that range from grief to bliss. Operas encompass an exciting storyline (Richards, 2017). Operas storylines include the use of an energetic theme that captures the audiences' attention and binds the performance to the audience. Operas are entirely sung, unlike in musicals, where the voices (spoken dialogues with a song) encompass the singer portraying more personality and power. Operettas have lighter storylines, whose ends are expected to arise from their developments. Vocals used in Operettas are less intense, and their singers execute friendliness, satire, and comic relief. They wear flashy costumes and props that portray entertainment than attention or emotion.

Historically, operas are older than operettas. As opposed to operas, operettas have also been termed as short operas. Having being availed for the public entrainment, they are therefore available to be relished by one and all. Operetta's execution can get achieved by average singers as opposed to operas. Contrary to operas, operettas do not have many demands from the audience and mostly have romantic storylines with traits like blissful completions. Although they have differences, operettas, musicals, and operas impart the improvement of the quality of human life by inspiring individuals, through their pleasurable and informative prospects (Richards, 2017).

Regarding accessibility, an opera performance would only get done to amuse sovereigns and their invitees. Musicals, however, were more available. Easy accessibility to operettas and musical theaters establish them as a form of entertainment obtainable for the common public (Und die Antwort, 2015).

Regarding dances, all of the three theater forms encompass dance as a critical component to aid in amplifying their drama factor. The difference arises when the singing cast does not perform dances in operas. The dances can either be ballet, jazz, or tap and get performed by trained ballet or jazz dancers. However, in musical theaters, performers have to master both singing and dancing. Operettas also involve characters taking both singing and dancing responsibilities.

Theatrical forms have similarities it entailing their focusing on music as a primal exposure component while utilizing identical exposure methods such as props, stage, costumes, and the accompaniment of an orchestra. They all use theatricals, acting, and drama, it plays a pivotal role both for appeal.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Opera, Operetta, and Musicals are three almost identical theatrical forms, although they have diverse histories. Opera, Operetta, and Musicals exhibit similar traits, although a few characteristics, including their histories, differentiate them. Opera, Operetta, and Musicals have distinctive makes, with each of them getting performed and appreciated as different forms of art.

References

Baughman, K. M. (2014). Music for Three Stages: Performance Preparation for Opera, Operetta, and Recital (Doctoral dissertation). https://drum.lib.umd.edu/handle/1903/15326

Lewis, D. H. (2015). Broadway musicals: a hundred-year history. McFarland.

Richards, J. (2017). 'Bring on the girls': Opera, operetta and ballet. In Imperialism and music. Manchester University Press. https://www.manchesterhive.com/view/9781526121370/9781526121370.00014.xml

Und dies Antwort, F. (2015). Comic opera, operetta, and musical comedy were considered well suited for parodies, satires, and even travesties. Opera in the Development of German Critical Thought, 251. https://books.google.co.ke/books?id=VWZ9BgAAQBAJ&pg=PA252&lpg=PA252&dq=).+Comic+opera,+operetta,+and+musical+comedy