operetta Type of light opera involving songs, dialogue, dancing and an engaging story. Operettas developed from attempts by composers to reach wider audiences. Among these composers were Johann Strauss, Arthur Sullivan (in association with W. S. Gilbert and Jacques Offenbach.

op·er·et·ta / ˌäpəˈretə/ • n. a short opera, usually on a light or humorous theme and typically having spoken dialogue. Notable composers of operettas include Offenbach, Johann Strauss, Lehár, and Gilbert and Sullivan.

operetta (It.; Fr. opérette). Little opera. Strictly a play with ov., songs, entr'actes, and dances, but the term has become synonymous with ‘light opera’, e.g. Offenbach's La Belle Hélène and Strauss's Die Fledermaus, and ‘musical comedy’, e.g. Coward's Bitter-Sweet.