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🍲 A seafood stew 🎭 A musical play
zarzuela

zarzuela

9.9
A Spanish musical play that has spoken dialogue, singing, and dance
  • noun
  • /zɑrˈzweɪlə/
translation icon : zarzuela
  • The audience enjoyed the lively performances in the zarzuela, which featured both singing and traditional Spanish dance.

Examples

  • The passion for zarzuela became a type of national obsession in the 1890s.

    Academic text (1993)

  • The play, which has survived only as a zarzuela, is the most oblique in its commentary on the current political situation.

    Academic text (1998)

  • Galvez successfully employs her musical talents; she is the author of a zarzuela; in varying the renditions of the chorus through the recitations.

    Academic text (1990)

  • During the festival, many people gathered to watch a famous zarzuela that highlighted the culture and history of Spain.

  • After a delightful evening of music and drama, the zarzuela left everyone in the theater clapping and cheering for more.

Synonyms

musical
vszarzuela
206 3.0

A play or film with singing and dancing

focuses more on a Spanish theatrical tradition with frequent dance and orchestra
song and dance
vszarzuela
2 3.5

A performance with singing and dancing on stage

includes spoken dialogue and often orchestral music as part of the show
Singspiel
vszarzuela
  • Specialized
9.9

A light German opera that mixes speaking and singing

is more Spanish and includes dance and orchestral music often

How Theatrical

opera
267 4.2
zarzuela
9.9
operetta
5 7.3
number
154 6.5
song
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

zarzuela singular
zarzuelas plural

Etymology

Zarzuela comes from the Royal Palace of La Zarzuela, which was named for the zarza 'thorny bush' that grew there. Early light musical shows were put on at that palace, so zarzuela now means a lively Spanish musical play with both spoken parts and singing.