Libretto
Text of an opera, operetta, or other kind of musical theatre
Libretto refers to the script of an opera, operetta, or musical, containing all the lyrics and dialogues. It is written by a librettist, typically a playwright or poet, and serves as the foundation for the composer to create the music.
In operas and musicals, the lyrics are sung by the characters to express their emotions and interactions, while the dialogues are spoken exchanges between characters.
Writing a libretto is a crucial process as it brings together the composer's music and the writer's words, creating a complete musical work. Composers often draw inspiration from the libretto's plot, characters, and emotions to compose corresponding music.
Librettos are typically written by playwrights or poets based on a specific story or theme and must synchronize with the rhythm and melody of the music. During opera and musical performances, the audience often sees subtitles of the libretto to understand the characters' dialogues and singing parts.
Example of Libretto
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Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven, German composer, the predominant musical figure during the transition between the Classical to Romantic eras. He occupies an unprecedented dominance in the history of Western music history, and has been widely regarded as the greatest, most influential and most popular musician who ever lived.
Beethoven's music inherited the artistic atmosphere of Haydn and Mozart, penetrated the desire for dignity, vented the anger tortured by fate, and demonstrated his determination to fight with fate.
Compared to other musicians, Beethoven is effectively to interact the philosophy of life with audience through music. Although he was not a romantic, he had become the object followed by other romantics.
As a musician, Beethoven suffered from ear diseases. However, he was unwilling to succumb to fate, vowing to take fate by the throat, and continue to complete his career. In the last ten years of his life, without hearing any sound, his compositions influenced the development of music for nearly two hundred years.
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