Comic opera is a form of musical theatre that combines elements of comedy and music. The term 'comic opera' has its roots in the late 18th century when a new style of light-hearted operatic productions emerged in Europe. Modern synonyms for the term 'comic opera' include operetta, light opera, musical comedy, and satirical opera. Operetta is a type of comic opera that emphasizes vocal music more than spoken dialogue. Light opera is similar to operetta but focuses on orchestral music rather than vocal music. Musical comedy, on the other hand, is a combination of spoken dialogue, music, and comedy. Satirical opera, as the name suggests, combines satire with music.