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opéra comique

noun op·éra co·mique \ ˈō-pā-rä-kä-ˈmēk , -kō- , ˈä-p(ə-)rə- \

Definition of opéra comique

: an opera characterized by spoken dialogue interspersed between the arias and ensemble numbers — compare grand opera

Origin and Etymology of opéra comique

French, literally, comic opera

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First Known Use: 1742

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