libretto

[li-bret-oh]

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.

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

Nor is it David Henry Hwang’s user-friendly libretto based on the late Ming Dynasty Chinese classic, “Journey to the West.”

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Featuring a libretto by playwright and TV writer David West Read, choreography by Jennifer Weber and nearly 30 hits by Martin, the stakes felt very high going in.

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From a forthcoming choral libretto premiering in Finland to a graphic novel retelling of the "Epic of Gilgamesh," Macfarlane’s creative orbit keeps expanding.

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Since 1996, she has published books of poetry, short fiction, essays and graphic novels; she wrote the libretto for an opera; and she wrote a novel that will remain unread for nearly 100 years.

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Kentridge’s libretto is an assemblage of the characters’ words and a range of other historical sources.

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Related Words

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