A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Operetta
OPERETTA. A little Opera, generally of a buffo character, too short to furnish an evening's amusement, but useful as an Afterpiece, or Intermezzo. We can scarcely point out more charming examples of the style than Mozart's 'Il Direttor della Commedia' (the Italian version of his 'Schauspieldirektor') and Rossini's 'L'Inganno felice.' Both these little masterpieces are in one Act; and this condition is really an essential characteristic of the Operetta; but, of late years, Operettas in two Acts have been not at all uncommon, as in the case of Mr. Arthur Sullivan's 'H.M.S. Pinafore'—the most successful work of the kind on record. Pieces extending to this length are prevented, for the most part, from taking rank as true Operas, either by triviality of subject, or by the evanescent character of the Music by which it is accompanied, and are, therefore, correctly described as Operettas in two Acts, notwithstanding the anomaly implied in the title.
In Italy, the Dialogue of the Operetta is always carried on in Recitativo secco. In England, Germany, and France, it is spoken.