What is a musical, not a modernized operetta?

The musical as a genre originated in the late XIX century in the United States. Today it is very popular all over the world, including in our country. In its essence, it is an operetta, but it is singled out as a separate art form. For what reason - the conversation is special.

Both the musical and the operetta are a collection of musical numbers, dialogues, dances and other artistic devices united by a single storyline. So what's the difference?

Some musicologists, who believe that they know well what a musical is, say: "It's all about singing." Or rather, in his school. Say, in the opera he is alone, in the operetta of another, and in the musical third. However, in all three cases, voices are needed, and good ones. There are many recordings with parts from famous musicals, for example, Clara's lullaby from Porgy and Bess Gershwin, or "Memory" from "The Cats" by Andrew Lloyd Webber, performed by famous opera singers.

The second version is different Genre stories. The opera is usually tragic, the operetta is comical. And what is a musical - comedy, tragedy or farce? Both that, and another, and the third. But after all, and the operettas are sad ... And musicals too ... No, it's not in the plot.

The third, the most important component of the musical is jazz. There are, however, rock operas, which can also be attributed to the same genre. "Juno and Avos", "Jesus Christ - Superstar", "Hair" give a very specific idea of what a musical is and how it should be. Here on these best samples of the genre and it is worth dwelling in more detail.

Since its very inception in musicals, the most fashionable musical forms have been used. And if the opera "Porgy and Bess" is focused on the fans of jazz, then in the "West Side Story" by Leonard Bernstein there are intonations of rock and roll, however, in symphonic design. "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Cats", "Evita", "Phantom of the Opera", "Sunset Boulevard" and other works of Webber are closer to the culture of rock of the seventies.

However, even in this assumption there are contradictions. "The Count of Monte Cristo" - a musical modern, however, strangely enough, hip-hop or RNB when it is audition is not found. The same can be said about the Notre Dame Cathedral. It sounds like it was written about thirty years ago, and it's not bad at all. This style shows that the genre in general terms was formed, he had his own, inherent only to him the notion of the classics. Now there is no need for detailed and tedious talk about what a musical is, just give examples of works, and everyone will understand. Also, the opera and the operetta - genres of vocal art, which at one time developed rapidly and caused much controversy, need not be explained.

The production of a musical is a laborious matter. The director is responsible for the creative concept of the show, vocalists, choral parts and drama, the main artist - for decorating. Considerable care for the dresser. One of the features of this genre is invariably entertainment. Everything should be beautiful: both sound, and costumes, and choreography. Technical design, including lighting and stage mechanics, is also organized according to the "last peep". Are all these issues executive producers. The musical can only be considered to be held when the viewer "voted with his feet" for him.