What does libretti mean?
Libretti is the plural form of libretto, the written text of an opera, musical, or another work performed with music. A libretto supplies the words spoken or sung by characters, including recitatives, arias, and ensembles, and may also include stage directions. The term is most strongly associated with opera, where libretti may be published separately from the score and can become objects of literary or political study. Although librettos is also a common plural, libretti is the traditional form in opera and musicological writing. The word ultimately comes from Italian, where libretto means “little book,” a reference to the physical book containing an operatic text. For a general reader, libretti usefully distinguishes the dramatic and verbal component of a musical work from its composed music, orchestration, and staging.
plural nounThe plural of libretto: the text of an opera, musical, or other extended musical work, especially when spoken or sung by the characters.
- The plural form of libretto, denoting the texts of operas, musicals, or other works intended for musical performance.
"The composer's libretti brought sharp political commentary to the stage."
"These two libretti describe love and politics in markedly different ways."
"The scholar's study focuses on the libretti written for the composer's unfinished final opera."
Libretti itself is the traditional plural of libretto. The form librettos is also widely accepted as the plural of the singular noun.
"The publisher has brought together the librettos of three landmark operas."
An opera may be remembered for its singing, but it is the libretto that gives the characters their words—and libretti have supplied the texts for some of the most influential works in the repertoire.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does libretti come from?
The singular libretto was borrowed from Italian, where it is the diminutive of libro, “book,” and originally referred to a little book. Italian libro comes from Latin liber, meaning both “book” and “free”; the same Latin root also underlies English words including library and liberty. The plural libretti retained the Italian form ending and became the standard English plural of libretto.
Related word forms
How libretti is actually used
Libretti is the plural of libretto; librettos is also widely used, especially outside opera scholarship. The plural libretti is the traditional form and is the normal plural in discussions of the art form.