Definition of Libretto in Music
In music, a **libretto** refers to the text or lyrics of an opera, operetta, or other forms of musical theater. It is the written component that accompanies the music and provides the storyline, dialogue, and lyrics for the performers. The libretto can be written in verse or prose and may be an original work or an adaptation of an existing play or novel .
The libretto is an essential element of an opera or musical production as it guides the performers and helps convey the narrative to the audience. It is typically written by a librettist, who may collaborate closely with the composer or work independently.
The libretto differs from the musical score, which comprises the written music notation for the performers and the accompanying instruments. While the libretto focuses on the text and lyrics, the musical score provides the melodic and harmonic structure of the music itself.
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