In archaic uncountable terms the difference between melodrama and melodrama

is that melodrama is a kind of drama having a musical accompaniment to intensify the effect of certain scenes while melodrama is a kind of drama having a musical accompaniment to intensify the effect of certain scenes.

In countable terms the difference between melodrama and melodrama

is that melodrama is a drama abounding in romantic sentiment and agonizing situations, with a musical accompaniment only in parts which are especially thrilling or pathetic. In opera, a passage in which the orchestra plays a somewhat descriptive accompaniment, while the actor speaks; as, the melodrama in the grave digging scene of Beethoven's "Fidelio" while melodrama is a drama abounding in romantic sentiment and agonizing situations, with a musical accompaniment only in parts which are especially thrilling or pathetic. In opera, a passage in which the orchestra plays a somewhat descriptive accompaniment, while the actor speaks; as, the melodrama in the grave digging scene of Beethoven's "Fidelio".

In uncountable figuratively colloquial terms the difference between melodrama and melodrama

is that melodrama is any situation or action which is blown out of proportion while melodrama is any situation or action which is blown out of proportion.