What is the difference between an opera and a musical?

Question

I know both can be in English.

Answer 1

Musicals mainly use modern instruments like drums.

Operas mainly use orchestras.

Another thing is musicals have dialogue while operas is singing all the way through.

Answer 2

Les Misérables is a Rock Opera. It is sung through (There is no speaking, just singing) It's not a classical opera so the name Rock Opera is given. Here, an orchestra is normally used (But not always)

The Sound Of Music is a Musical. It has speaking as well as singing. More contempary instruments may participate in a musical although many include orchestras.

Answer 3

its true that operas can be in english but A LOT are in a different language. operas contain virtually no speaking, all singing. musicals have both speaking and singing. operas use classical music whereas musicals can have any style of music they want (usually different styles within the same production)

hope this helped =)

Answer 4

The line between musical and opera is often blurred. For example, the comic operas or operettas by Gilbert and Sullivan, or the 'sung-through' musicals such as Les Mis or Sweeney Todd, which can also be referred to as operettas. There's also normally a difference in vocal technique and musical style.

(PS - I'd argue with Stu that Les Mis is definitely not a rock opera! It's an operetta, but a rock opera is more like The Who's 'Tommy' or Pink Floyd's 'The Wall'.)

Answer 5

Spelling!

Answer 6

An Opera is 'sung through' - every single word is sung, even the dull dialogue bits have a score and are pitched. (This is known as 'recitative'.)

A Musical has spoken dialogue linking the 'numbers',or songs and dances.

This actually does make "Tommy" by "The Who" a rock Opera, whilst "The Phantom of the Opera" is a musical - although in the latter almost all the dialogue is underscored (i.e. has music behind it, as in a film, BUT the singer/actor isn't required to 'hit' a note during 'speech').

By the way - I can't let Mz. Rose get away with "modern instruments like drums". Drums and percussion are the oldest instruments known.

Answer 7

Operas usually sing the whole time and can be very dramatic in such a way. While a musical is singing and speaking and acting as well.

Answer 8

In an opera they all go LaaaaaaH Li Lo lo lo loooooooo.

In a musical they all go Ya Taaa ti ta ti ta ti deeeeee.

Operas last for ages and often make your bum ache from all the sitting. Musicals seem to be over before you know it and make you want to join in all the songs.

Here are the posh answers

http://www.classicalarchives.com/dict/op...

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&rlz...

Actually I love both - but that's not an answer it's only my opinion.

Answer 9

the music!!