Singspiel

[1] It is characterized by spoken dialogue, which is alternated with ensembles, songs, ballads, and arias which were often strophic, or folk-like.

By the early 17th century, miracle plays had grown profane, the word "Singspiel" is found in print,[2] and secular Singspiele were also being performed, both in translated borrowings or imitations from English and Italian songs and plays, and in original German creations.

"[4] French operas with spoken dialogue (opéras comiques) were frequently transcribed into German and became very successful in Vienna in the late 1770s and early 1780s.

By contrast, German translations of contemporary Italian opere buffe, which were quite successful in England and France at the time, were significantly less frequent.

Singspiele were considered middle-to-lower class entertainment – as opposed to the predominantly aristocratic genres of opera, ballet and stage play – and were usually performed by traveling troupes (such as the Koch, Döbbelin and Koberwein companies), rather than by established companies within metropolitan centers.