For the racehorse, see Singspiel (horse). Singspiel ("song-play") (plural Singspiele) is a form of German-language music drama, regarded as a genre of opera. It is characterized by spoken dialogue, sometimes performed over music, interspersed with ensembles, popular songs, ballads and arias (which were often folk-like and strophic in nature). Origins The first Singspiele were probably translations of English ballad operas from the late 18th century. In 1736 the Prussian ambassador to England com… (More on Singspiel)