libretto

American  

[li-bret-oh] / lɪˈbrɛt oʊ /

noun

plural

librettos, libretti

1. the text or words of an opera or similar extended musical composition.

2. a book or booklet containing such a text.

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libretto British  

/ lɪˈbrɛtəʊ /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of libretto

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

Example Sentences

Versions of this Stravinsky classic, with its libretto based on Russian fairytales, have come and gone for more than a century.

From The Wall Street Journal

There’s not a traditional libretto, so the story is transmitted mostly through song lyrics.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr. Jackson’s smart and singable libretto is a potent throughline, its surface comedy floating above a dark and—naturally—complicated view of the modern age.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ms. Snider’s libretto fictionalizes and extrapolates from the historical record.

From The Wall Street Journal

Scene 2, a scrim projection informs us, takes place eight years later, moving us back into the time frame of the original libretto.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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