Comic opera, also known as light opera, is a genre of opera that developed in the late 17th century in Italy. It is a sung dramatic work of a light or comic nature, usually with a happy ending and often including spoken dialogue. Comic operas were initially presented as intermezzi between acts of more serious works, but they grew into an independent form and became the most popular form of staged entertainment in Italy from about 1750 to 1800. Comic operas spread to other parts of Europe, and many countries developed their own genres of comic opera, incorporating the Italian and French models along with their own musical traditions. Examples include German singspiel, Viennese operetta, Spanish zarzuela, Russian comic opera, English ballad and Savoy opera, North American operetta, and musical comedy. Comic operas usually feature humorous plots, comedic characters, and happy endings, but they do not always have to follow such a happy theme. If the opera contains spoken dialogue, it could also be classified as a type of comic opera. Comic operas remain popular among audiences today due to their accessible nature, and they are typically easier to follow and more light-hearted and family-friendly than other operas.