librettist
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of librettist
From the Italian word librettista, dating back to 1860–65. See libretto, -ist
Explanation
A librettist is a writer who creates the scripts for operas and musicals, blending storylines with lyrics that singers perform. In the world of opera, a librettist is crucial, similar to a playwright in theater. A librettist writes the words of the songs that bring the opera or musical to life. For instance, Lorenzo Da Ponte is well-known for writing the librettos — or lyrics — for several of Mozart's famous operas, including The Marriage of Figaro. The librettist plays an important role in connecting the audience with the emotional depth of the music through compelling narratives and character development.
Vocabulary lists containing librettist
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Lalovavi,” a first opera for both composer Kevin Day and librettist Tifara Brown, is an Afrofuturist fantasy with nods to the “Black Panther” movies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
The radicalism is that neither composer nor librettist reveals that this actually works.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 12, 2025
"Fire Shut Up in My Bones," the work of jazz trumpeter Terence Blanchard and writer-director Kasi Lemmons, was the first opera by a Black composer or librettist to reach the Met stage.
From Salon ● Oct. 6, 2024
In the interview, Francesca discusses the process of creating a brand new ending for Puccini’s unfinished final opera Turandot, from recruiting a composer and librettist to deciding on the visual language of the show.
From Slate ● May 26, 2024
Moreover he, in consultation with his librettist, achieved great skill in holding together entire scenes, or even entire acts, by dramatically apposite repetitions of short arias and choruses.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 2 "Gloss" to "Gordon, Charles George" by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
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