The name for the text of an opera comes from the Italian phrase meaning little book. What is this word?

The term for the words of an opera has a charmingly literal origin, stemming directly from Italian. The word is libretto, which translates to "little book." This name arose from the common practice in the 17th and 18th centuries of printing an opera's text in small, inexpensive pamphlets. Audience members would purchase these booklets to follow the story and lyrics during the performance, often in dimly lit theaters, making the "little book" an essential guide to the drama unfolding on stage.

The libretto serves as the complete foundation (Review) of the opera, containing all the sung text for arias, recitatives, and choruses, as well as any spoken dialogue and stage directions. The author of this text is known as a librettist. The creation of an opera is a deeply collaborative process between the librettist, who crafts the narrative and poetry, and the composer, who sets these words to music. This partnership is crucial, as a brilliant text is essential for creating a timeless musical masterpiece.