melodrama

noun4

1. •
   A drama abounding in romantic sentiment and agonizing situations, with a musical accompaniment only in parts which are especially thrilling or pathetic.
2. •
   (figurative) Any situation or action which is blown out of proportion.
3. •
   A passage in which the orchestra plays a somewhat descriptive accompaniment, while the actor speaks.

   • The grave-digging scene in Beethoven's “Fidelio” has much melodrama.
4. •
   (no longer used) A kind of drama having a musical accompaniment to intensify the effect of certain scenes.