Libretto

A libretto is the text used in, or intended for, an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata, or musical. The term libretto is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major liturgical works, such as Mass, requiem, and sacred cantata, or the story line of a ballet.

Libretto (pl. libretti), from Italian, is the diminutive of the word libro (book). A libretto is distinct from a synopsis or scenario of the plot, in that the libretto contains all the words and stage directions, while a synopsis summarizes the plot. Some ballet historians also use the word libretto to refer to the 15–40 page books which were on sale to 19th century ballet audiences in Paris and contained a very detailed description of the ballet's story, scene by scene.

The relationship of the librettist (that is, the writer of a libretto) to the composer in the creation of a musical work has varied over the centuries, as have the sources and the writing techniques employed.

In the context of a modern English-language musical theater piece, the libretto is often referred to as the book of the work.

Read more about Libretto:  Relationship of Composer and Librettist, Literary Characteristics, Language and Translation, Status of Librettists and The Libretto, Publication of Libretti

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... HWV Title Libretto Première date Première place, theatre Modern revival Notes 1 Almira (Der in Krohnen erlangte Glücks-Wechsel, oder Alimira, Königin von Castilien) FeustkingFriedrich ... Francesco Silvani's II duello d'Amore e di Vendetta Italian libretto 1707-11-00c, November 1707 Florence, Teatro di via del Cocomero 1984-00-001984, Innsbruck Some music is lost 6 Agrippina GrimaniVincenzo. 9 Teseo HaymNicola Francesco Haym, after Philippe Quinault's libretto for Thésée Italian libretto 1713-01-1010 January 1713 London, Queen's Theatre 1947-06-2929 June ...
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... Printed scores for operas naturally contain the entire libretto, although there can exist significant differences between the score and the separately printed text ... the extra repetition of words or phrases from the libretto in the actual score ... aria 'Nessun dorma' from Puccini's Turandot, the final lines in the libretto are "Tramontate, stelle! All'alba, vincerò!" (Fade, you stars! At dawn, I will win!) ...
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... La brebis égarée, Op.4 (1910–1914) 3 acts, 20 scenes libretto by Francis Jammes premiere 1923 Les euménides, Op.41 (1917–1923) L'Orestie d'Eschyle (Or ... gueux, Op.171 (1937) ballad opera in 3 acts libretto by Henri Fluchère after John Gay's The Beggar's Opera (1728) Médée, Op.191 (1938) 1 act, 3 scenes libretto by Madeleine Milhaud (his ...