Is pirates of penzance a musical or opera?

Question

So it won tony awards for best revival in 1981, so I suppose it's a musical? I mean, operas don't win Tony Awards.

Answer 1

I'd describe it as an operetta rather than a musical, I think - it's a nominal difference but in my head, anyway, there is a division!  It's not an opera, opera is almost always sung-through (ie there is no talking).

Answer 2

http://www.answers.com/topic/the-pirates...

it's definitely an operetta.

Answer 3

it is a musical.  opera's are singing productions where everything is sung.  Pirate's of Penzance is an operetta, meaning that most of it is sung, but there is some talking.