libretto

[ li-bret-oh ]

noun

, plural li·bret·tos, li·bret·ti [li-, bret, -ee].

1. the text or words of an opera or similar extended musical composition.
2. a book or booklet containing such a text.

libretto

/ lɪˈbrɛtəʊ /

noun

1. a text written for and set to music in an opera, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of libretto¹

1735–45; < Italian, diminutive of libro book < Latin liber; -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of libretto¹

C18: from Italian, diminutive of libro book

Example Sentences

He would grab a bunch of different librettos and “Wicked” was one of them.

From Los Angeles Times

This was particularly notable in a reading of the libretto for a proposed new opera by Ted Hearn, one of our most politically outspoken composers, based on Ursula K Le Guin’s “The Dispossessed.”

From Los Angeles Times

The last lines of Waldman’s libretto are, “All I want is out of here.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Cyrano de Bergerac” is built like a libretto.

From Los Angeles Times

Semi-modern dance, silent film, a postmodern libretto with ancient texts, a mad scene that lasts some 95 minutes — it’s a stretch.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• article
• book
• copy
• dialogue
• manuscript
• scenario
• text