A librettist writes the text, or libretto, for musical performances such as operas, musicals, and ballets. They work closely with composers to ensure the words and music harmonize, and may also develop the plot. Historically, librettists were often uncredited, but today they are recognized for their work.
A librettist is someone who produces texts, known as libretti, designed to accompany musical performances. The most classic example of a libretto is the text that accompanies an opera, but the libretto can also write words for musicals, cantatas, oratorios, ballets and liturgical works such as masses and requirements. Being a librettist requires some unique and diverse skills; she or he can not only have a way with words, but must also have a way with music.
In some cases, the librettist and the composer are the same person. However, this is not always the case. Some very talented composers were not easy with words or preferred to focus on the music, allowing someone else to find the words that would fit their compositions. Librettists and composers tend to work closely together during the development of a piece, because the score and the words must go harmoniously together or audiences will find the piece raucous to hear or see.
Sometimes the words of a piece are written before the score is composed. In other cases, a librettist follows the composer, adding words to a musical composition that has already been made. It is also possible that the two will be developed simultaneously, with composer and librettist working closely together every step of the way.
Librettists can work either in verse or plain language, depending on the needs of the composition. Working with music is challenging because people need to think about how the words will sound when sung; something that sounds harmonious when spoken can become disastrous in music, or singers can struggle with certain arrangements that push the limits of their voices and skills.
Before the score or libretto is developed, it is common to sit down and develop a plot. Sometimes the person doing the storyline isn’t involved in producing the music or words and is simply hired to map out the story. Once the story is established, people can determine where the main numbers or musical arias should occur and can begin to structure the music and words that will bring the story to life on stage.
Historically, librettists were sometimes so dismissive that they weren’t even credited for their work, and the identity behind the authors of the words of some notable musical works is unknown. Today, it is more common to see credit given to the author of the libretto along with other people involved in creating the work.
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