zarzuelahttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zarzuela_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezarzuela, n.
First published 1986; not fully revised

zarzuelanoun

  1. 1888–
    A traditional form of popular musical comedy in Spain.
    In its theatrical sense the word is said to be derived from the name Real Sitio de la Zarzuela in Madrid, where these works were first performed in the early 17th century.
    1. 1888
      It had all transpired in a flash, like some of the absurd things he had seen in pantomimes by the zarzuela companies at the theatres.
      Lippincott's Monthly Magazine July 51
    2. 1922
      The zarzuelas, the operettas of one act, largely improvised with local allusions.
      J. Hergesheimer, Bright Shawl (1923) 54
    3. 1947
      The way was being prepared for the Italianization of Spanish music as early as Calderón's period, which brought forth the old zarzuela, a mixture of song and dance with spoken dramatic dialogue.
      A. Einstein, Music in Romantic Era xvii. 328
    4. 1973
      The modern zarzuelas are really operettas or lyric dramas, which are a kind of Spanish equivalent of Gilbert and Sullivan and the Viennese operetta, full of tunes which have become part of Spain's popular culture.
      Oxford Times 30 March 14/5
    5. 1973
      Less common are the old zarzuelas, the traditional musical dramas.
      R. A. Crampsey, Puerto Rico viii. 130
    6. 1983
      A Catalan born in 1871,..he [sc. Amadeo Vives] was evidently best known as a zarzuela composer.
      Listener 21 April 31/2

Additional sense (1993)

  1. 1956–
    In Spain, a dish consisting of various kinds of seafood (zarzuela de mariscos) or fish (zarzuela de pescados) cooked in a rich sauce.
    1. 1956
      Pot-pourri of fish (Zarzuela de pescados)..4 fillets or steaks of two different kinds of fish..4 small squids..12 mussels..A glass brandy [etc.].
      H. Mason, Good Food from Spain & Portugal 64
    2. 1969
      Over cocktails and later over zarzuela, he recounted his wanderings.
      J. Harrington, Last Doorbell (1970) v. 129
    3. 1980
      A zarzuela de mariscos was cooked to perfection, a veritable light opera of fish and shellfish simmered in a creamy lobster sauce.
      New York Times 25 July c18/3
    4. 1991
      Dinner at ten in Barcelona for tantalizing zarzuela de mariscos..and a crystal flute or two of shimmering cava would be easily met.
      Wine & Spirits April 35/1

zarzuela, n. was first published in 1986; not fully revised.

zarzuela, n. was last modified in December 2024.