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Where does the word "obbligato" come from? It comes from Italian obbligato, and was adopted directly into English (1730s).
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Where does the word "obbligato" come from? It comes from Italian obbligato, and was adopted directly into English (1730s).
Obbligato’s story begins in Italian: obbligato meant “obligatory, required.” Literally obligatory, an essential accompanying instrumental part. It reached English by 1730s as obbligato. Italian 'obligatory', for a part that must not be left out. Today, obbligato means an essential instrumental part accompanying a melody, not to be omitted.
- Stage 1 · Italian · 1700s obbligato "obligatory, required", literally obligatory, an essential accompanying instrumental part.
- Stage 2 · English · 1730s obbligato "an essential accompanying instrumental part", Italian 'obligatory', for a part that must not be left out.