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obbligato Definition

ob·bli·gato (äb′li gätō)

adjective

not to be left out; indispensable: said earlier, generally prior to the 19th cent., of an accompaniment essential to the proper performance of a piece, but now usually of one that can be omitted if necessary: often used as a musical direction

Etymology: It, lit., obliged < L obligatus, pp. of obligare: see oblige

noun pl. -·tos or -·ti

  1. an obbligato accompaniment
  2. an added melody, usually played by a solo instrument as accompaniment to a vocal performance

obbligato Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • instrument: The obbligato instruments are immaculately played in both versions.
  • passage: In the latter Salinger includes French horn obbligato passages worthy of Richard Strauss to transport us well and truly 'over the top' .

Browse dictionary entries near obbligato

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