obbligato

[ ob-li-gah-toh; Italian awb-blee-gah-taw ]

adjective

1. (used as a musical direction) obligatory or indispensable; so important that it cannot be omitted.

noun

, plural ob·bli·ga·tos, ob·bli·ga·ti [ob-li-, gah, -tee, awb-blee-, gah, -tee].

1. an obbligato part or accompaniment.
2. a continuing or persistent subordinate or background motif.
3. a subordinate part of a solo.

obbligato

/ ˌɒblɪˈɡɑːtəʊ /

adjective

1. not to be omitted in performance

noun

1. an essential part in a score

   with oboe obbligato

Word History and Origins

Origin of obbligato¹

1715–25; < Italian: bound, obliged < Latin obligātus; obligate

Word History and Origins

Origin of obbligato¹

C18: from Italian, from obbligare to oblige

Example Sentences

The earlier obbligato accompaniment gave way to an obbligato style of writing which rested to a greater extent on counterpoint.

From Project Gutenberg

There ought to be a hint as to the identity of the two players with two eyeglasses obbligato.

From Project Gutenberg

"Oh yes, oh yes," she agreed, in a voice like a quick flute obbligato.

From Project Gutenberg

This bravura air with its trumpet obbligato still remains a favourite with competent vocalists and discriminating audiences.

From Project Gutenberg

The violin obbligato in Rimsky-Korsakov's Schéhérazade, though, is real violin music.

From Project Gutenberg