opéra comique

[ op-er-uh ko-meek, op-ruh; French aw-pey-ra kaw-meek ]

noun

, plural o·pé·ra co·miques, o·pé·ras co·mique, French o·pe·ras co·miques [aw-pey-, r, a, kaw-, meek].

1. comic opera.

opéra comique

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of opéra comique¹

Borrowed into English from French around 1735–45

Example Sentences

Can't you get Gilbert to do a Home Rule opera comique?

From Project Gutenberg

Pretty well everything was acted at the theatre of Quiquendone; but the opera and the opera comique were especially patronized.

From Project Gutenberg

I have heard the "Miserere" in the Sistine Chapel, and in comparison with the raising of the flag over the city of Santiago it was opera comique.

From Project Gutenberg

Opera comique is not synonymous with comic opera, for the plot of opera comique is as often serious as not.

From Project Gutenberg

The Spanish zarzuela appears to have been the forerunner and origin of all musical farce and "opera comique," only naturalised in our country during the present generation.

From Project Gutenberg