I'll try. I've not seen precise definitions, but this is how I understand it. Opera is a musical work first and foremost, "music first then words". It's usually sung-through (but some operas have a limited amount of dialog), requires classically trained singers, has extremely difficult music to sing, performed without amplification, very difficult music, roles cast by voice type rather than looks. Operetta - usually performed by classically trained singers and without amplification, but operettas are usually shorter and have a less difficult vocal work, the orchestra is usually smaller. Operettas have a fair amount of spoken dialog, they also have dancing, but can dance. The roles in operettas cast not only by voice type, but also acting ability, dancing ability (if the role requires it) and looks, looking the part is more important in operetta than in opera as well as the ability to act and dance. Operettas are usually comedies. Musical - early musicals (e.g. like Show Boat) created before amplification was introduced were American version of operettas and also used classically trained singers, so there was little difference though often the music was less difficult to sing. These days musicals don't use classically trained singers and are written for amplified voices so the singing style is different. In terms of Porgy and Bess - this is a good question and is one that people keep discussing. Gershwin called it an opera, and intended it to be performed in an opera theater. So to my mind it's an opera, but when it's performed by musical theater actors, it becomes a musical because the singing style is different (but I prefer it to be produced as an opera).

@@jewelmarkess thank you so much for taking the time and effort to explain.

@Joanne Adamidou - you are very welcome. One other thing I forgot to mention is that operettas are often translated as you can see here. Not always, I remember an old Met production of Die Fledermaus which had singing in the original German and spoken dialog in English with some German words used for comedic effect. This one is a good example of an operetta - an old Austrian movie of an operetta by a Hungarian composer Imre Kalman, unfortunately, it's in German (the actual DVD has subtitles, but I couldn't find a full video here with subtitles): kzfaq.info/get/bejne/Zp1glMKHvLq7Zas.html For some reason, Kalman operettas are never performed in the US, but I really like them. Notice, that dancing skills are required and even though the leads here - Anna Moffo and Rene Kollo are opera singers, Anna Moffo does quite a bit of dancing. The plot: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_Csárdásfürstin

This is an operetta...

jewelmarkess sorry,I'm new to Opera as a whole so forgive my lack of knowledge on the subject

Insane Gaming No problem, many people who aren't new to opera at all aren't clear on the difference either. I tried to explain how I understand it. Basically, operetta is in-between opera and musical, it's like early musical theater. It uses classically trained voices like opera, but has less complex music, it also has a fair amount of spoken language and dancing, and is usually funny. But some of the details here are more of a director's choice. If you find other older productions of the Merry Widow, they may be a little different, more like 19th century French high society.

you're absolutely right - I almost did an actual spit-take in surprise. Now my mind is blending various Widow-productions throughout the years together with visions of Die Hard and I'm supremely confused.

wise decision, being an Operetta. They probably focused on getting a better actress. They won't call O'Hara to sing Turandot. No need to get fussy... And considering that Musicals have more appeal and commerical success, might be more acurate to think that the Met is going up, up, up.

@@eltontowersey7953 Wise for the box office, probably. However, you missed my point. She is not a true soprano. You sound like an Opera Queen; you boys do like your musicals, I know. I am not being "fussy" about operetta; perhaps you will want to study that genre/ sub-genre. You said one thing correctly: musicals do have more appeal, always have- that is, to the common folk. Opera, as with Olympic swimming, is an elevated art. It takes more brain power to appreciate it. You are a riot when you "educate" me about the Met not calling her to sing Turandot. I imagine you have your cds of Callas singing those arias-dreadful; you boys love her. And, the Met is indeed going down, down, down. Buddy, you don't want to spar with me. I am bigger and mightier and have more education. Go have brunch with your cats and buy some shoes. Then go to a musical.

@@josephcollins6033 You clearly are a frustrated and disturbed person with the classic snobish atitude "Opera is so fucking better than Musicals". Opera could have grown in to something more appealing (like broadway grew), instead of adopting the dreadful Contemporary Composition style of serialism, atonality and musical assimetry. So we are stuck with he same ol' Italian/german/french Operas that everybody has heard a million freaking times, with slow-passed storytelling and bad actors... or dreadful Modern Opera. Opera could take a few lessons from Broadway, clearly Opera is going down, and its this snobish, elitist atitude thats draging it down .. And yes, you are being fussy. Enjoy your brain power and loneliness

@@eltontowersey7953 Oh, buddy, you sound so "gay". Read your first sentence !!! I agree with you about the musical composition of most operas after 1910. Only a pedestrian would make use the term "Contemporary Composition"; clearly you are not a musician. Between you and me, don't ever say that around educated people. The only "contemporary" (a much maligned word) compositions were written this year- in music, anyway. But, we agree that so many of those newer (newer compared to Verdi, etc.) are disgusting pieces of banging and screaming. We are not stuck, pal; only YOU are stuck. At least misled. We agree on another thing: opera is "going down" as you so simply say. There is rarely any fine singing today; I don't have time to tell you why. Broadway musicals are primarily a joke, you dunce. I've tried to be nice to you because you don't have much education (your spelling !!! and sentence structure!!! and vocabulary!!! ). Why do you become personal? I do enjoy my brain but more my education in musicals and opera. Also, I enjoy my career in those areas. As for loneliness, I am incredibly happy with my glorious, beloved husband. He is a 6', 5" police officer from Austria, where I sang. Think of that tonight when you are jerking off. I have a feeling as to what you are. Enjoy your music, all of it that makes you happy. And try to ease up. Go to brunch, buy some shoes with your girlfriends. I perform and paint and make love.

@@josephcollins6033 english is not my first language, prick. You try to pretend you are not a hater, yet you are an angressive snob who attacks with low blows from avery angle, while also trying to sound evolved and intellectual. You are a sad, disturbed creature who needs therapy.