The German Singspiel (sung play) was coined in the 16th century by Jakob Ayrer the Elder (inspired by the performances of visiting English Comedian players) for his own comedic popular works, which incorporated passages of music and songs. Until the second half of the 18th century, the term was used in a general sense, and without clear aesthetic definition, to denote genres of musical theater. Singspiel became a versatile and multifaceted synonym for opera, operetta (see Light music), posse, comedy, Lustspiel, or Tra…