Buffo

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Relating to a style of opera characterized by humorous and light-hearted themes often involving comedy characters
2. Describing an opera or theatrical role known for its comic, exaggerated, or buffoon-like traits
3. Pertaining to a form of musical comedy where performers act in a funny and entertaining manner

Etymology: Italian "buffo" means "comic" or "funny," and in opera it gave rise to a whole category of performer. The word comes from Italian, where it was used as an adjective for light, comic characters, and in the operatic sense "buffo" names the comic bass or baritone who plays the clown, rogue or bumbling old man in an otherwise serious drama. Such roles were a staple of Italian opera buffa, the comic opera tradition, and the term was borrowed into English to describe these parts. The English word therefore keeps its Italian theatrical flavour: it refers to a role or singer defined by comedy rather than by any particular voice type. Italian "buffo" is the source, and the English noun still carries the sense of a specialist comic performer in opera.

Synonyms: clown, jester, comic, fool, humorist