This book takes the often thoughtlessly dismissed or idolized operetta as seriously as any significant art form. It characterizes its distinctive features in contrast to other genres of light theater. It comprehends the various elements of operetta—musical and scenic, vocal and dance, social and psychological—in their comedic context. It unfolds the richness of its national and cultural variations: from France to Hungary, from Austria and Germany to England, from Italy to Yugoslavia. The charming special form of the Spanish zarzuela is also extensively included. Since it caused an international stir over two decades ago, the book has been regarded as a standard work—reliable and contentious at the same time. Part I addresses the consistent characteristics of the genre, while Part II introduces 52 composers along with 127 operettas and zarzuelas, including details about lyricists, premiere dates, roles, and performance materials. This is a book for anyone with more than a fleeting interest in operetta: whether out of passion or professionally, whether as musicians, stage artists, theater makers, or as students, scholars, and cultural journalists.