libretti
Words for operas
Libretti is the plural of libretto, the text of an opera, oratorio, or other long vocal work.
The word is Italian for "little book"—the booklet containing the words a singer performs.
Some librettists are as celebrated as the composers they worked with: Da Ponte's libretti for Mozart remain masterpieces of operatic writing.
Solo vocal compositions
- recitativeSpeechlike operatic singing
- duetsTwo-person musical performances
- sopranoHighest female voice range
- tenorEssential meaning or import
baritone · mezzo-soprano · bass · bel canto · coloratura · prima donna · overture · intermezzo
Original text before publication
- scriptWritten words for performance
- versesLines of poetry
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- linesStrokes connecting two points
translation · adaptation · revision · draft · publication · edition · annotation · subtitle
Dramatic unit or locale
- actDeed or performance
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- monologueUninterrupted solo address
- tensionStretched or strained state
pathos · catharsis · suspense · emotion · character · performance · stage · theatricality
arias
Solo vocal compositions
- recitativeSpeechlike operatic singing
- duetsTwo-person musical performances
- sopranoHighest female voice range
tenor · baritone · mezzo-soprano · bass · bel canto · coloratura · prima donna · overture · intermezzo · composer
manuscript
Original text before publication
lines · translation · adaptation · revision · draft · publication · edition · annotation · subtitle · supertitle
scene
Dramatic unit or locale
tension · pathos · catharsis · suspense · emotion · character · performance · stage · theatricality · tragedy
storyline
Sequence of fictional events
prologue · epilogue · protagonist · antagonist · setting · theme · motif · conflict · climax · resolution
poetic
Of or like verse
meter · stanza · refrain · couplet · imagery · cadence · prosody · syllable · scansion · wordplay
- operaopera, aria, arias, soprano, tenor
- written worksessay, novel, anthologies, history books, letter
- worksmasterpieces, compositions, piece, pieces, work
- French MusicEdith Piaf, chanson, French jazz, French pop, Debussy
- Italian theaterHarlequin, stock characters, scenario, scenarios, theatrical companies
- song collectionssongbook, songbooks, hymnal, hymnals, song cycle
librettiscores
Achieves points; many
musical scores · sheet music · orchestrations · compositions · music
librettichoreography
Designing performance movement sequences
dance notation · instrumental music · pantomime · stage directions · blocking
librettiinstrumental music
Music without vocals
orchestral music · accompaniment · overtures · interludes · symphonies