libretto

views updated Jun 11 2018

libretto (It.). Little book. The text of a vocal work, particularly opera. Author is ‘librettist’. First known was for Peri's Dafne (1594–8). Among famous librettists have been Metastasio, da Ponte, Scribe, Romani, Piave, Illica, Gilbert, Boito, Hofmannsthal, Auden and Kallman, and Myfanwy Piper. Some composers have written own libs., e.g. Wagner, Leoncavallo, Delius, and Tippett.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE

libretto

views updated May 29 2018

li·bret·to / ləˈbretō/ • n. (pl. -bret·ti / -ˈbretē/ or -bret·tos) the text of an opera or other long vocal work.DERIVATIVES: li·bret·tist / -ˈbretist/ n.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

libretto

views updated May 18 2018

libretto Text of an opera or operetta. From 1597, libretti were printed to commemorate performances; by the mid-18th century, public audiences used them to follow the opera's story.

World Encyclopedia

libretto

views updated May 21 2018

libretto XVIII. — It., dim. of libro book.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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