Wiktionary (0.00 / 0 votes) Rate this definition: quaff (Noun). The act of quaffing, a deep draught. quaff (Verb). To drink or imbibe, especially with vigour. Origin: Attested since the mid 16th century, of uncertain origin. Suggestions include connection with Irish Gaelic cauch (whence Scots quaich, queff). The noun is derived from the verb, since the later 16th century.
The recitative is an outgrowth of the style of performing epic musical poetic works in folk singing. The emergence of the recitative in professional music was associated with the development of opera in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.
Operetta - 'little opera' - Strictly a play with an overture, songs, dances etc. However it has become synonymous with 'light opera'.Operetta originally meant a short opera [17th century].By 19th century it became associated with comic opera or any such like considered less 'serious' than operas. Most operettas can be described as 'light' operas-good examples are the works of Gilbert and Sullivan.peretta - 'little opera' - Strictly a play with an overture, songs, dances etc. However it has become synonymous with 'light opera'.