Definitions
- Referring to the words of a song that are sung by the vocalist. - Talking about the poetry or text that accompanies music in a song. - Describing the written words of a song that are printed on a page or displayed on a screen.
- Describing the text or script of an opera, musical, or ballet. - Referring to the written words of a theatrical performance that are sung or spoken by the performers. - Talking about the storyline or plot of a theatrical performance that is conveyed through the text and music.
List of Similarities
- 1Both lyrics and libretto involve text that is accompanied by music.
- 2Both can be used to convey a story or message through words and music.
- 3Both are essential components of a musical or theatrical performance.
What is the difference?
- 1Scope: Lyrics refer specifically to the words of a song, while libretto encompasses the entire text of a theatrical performance.
- 2Medium: Lyrics are typically associated with popular music, while libretto is more commonly used in the context of opera, musicals, and ballets.
- 3Performance: Lyrics are sung by a vocalist, while libretto can be either spoken or sung by performers.
- 4Structure: Lyrics are often structured in verses and choruses, while libretto follows a more complex structure that includes recitatives, arias, and ensembles.
- 5Language: Lyrics are often written in colloquial language, while libretto may use more formal or archaic language depending on the context.
Remember this!
Lyrics and libretto both involve text that is accompanied by music, but they differ in scope, medium, performance, structure, and language. Lyrics refer specifically to the words of a song and are typically associated with popular music, while libretto encompasses the entire text of a theatrical performance and is more commonly used in the context of opera, musicals, and ballets.
