zarzuela

[ zahr-zwey-luh, -zwee-; Spanish thahr-thwe-lah, sahr-swe- ]

noun

, plural zar·zue·las [zahr-, zwey, -l, uh, z, -, zwee, -, thah, r, -, thwe, -lahs, sah, r, -, swe, -].

1. a Spanish opera having spoken dialogue and often a satirically treated, topical theme.

zarzuela

/ zɑːˈzweɪlə /

noun

1. a type of Spanish vaudeville or operetta, usually satirical in nature
2. a seafood stew

Word History and Origins

Origin of zarzuela¹

1885–90; < Spanish, after La Zarzuela, palace near Madrid where first performance took place (1629)

Word History and Origins

Origin of zarzuela¹

from Spanish, from La Zarzuela, name of the palace near Madrid where such vaudeville was first performed (1629)

Example Sentences

The last-named type, the zarzuela, became particularly popular.

From Project Gutenberg

The zarzuela, I should add, lasts about an hour, and for the most part is divided into three scenes.

From Project Gutenberg

De repente sinti una alegre voz que modulaba entre dientes el estribillo de una cancin de zarzuela.

From Project Gutenberg

Se dedican a las representaciones de zarzuela o de opereta el Apolo y el Espaol.

From Project Gutenberg

The days of the great writers of zarzuela have gone never to return.

From Project Gutenberg