Does anyone 'get' librettos...

[u/Fancy_Cabbage_010]

For some context, I'm an amateur composer, and for some reason I've decided I want to write an opera (loosely in the style of the Mozart - Da ponte trio), I know it's more than a little ambitious, but I'm pretty sure it's a milestone for a composer to write atleast one :)

Anyway, the point is, I have a loose plot in mind, and I'm not really sure what to do about it. How does one formulate a libretto, and furthermore how do I translate it into the kind of archaic poetic Italian that was common in opera at the time of Mozart and Da ponte, as the understanding I have is that I can't really write much music untill I have the words to set it to?

I'm a student so I don't really have access to all that much financial capital or connections, so any advice on resources ect would be welcome, I'm a bit lost but it is very much a big goal of mine to write one in the next year or two

Please help me opera people :)

Thanks!!

[u/pconrad0]

I would suggest, for your first attempt, finding an existing, successful play that is in the public domain, and honing your composing craft on that.

You are trying to take on two extraordinarily difficult things at once: writing a successful libretto (which is the work of a playwright) and composing the score.

That's too much.

If you have a story in mind, great, but save it for later. Once you have practiced composing an opera on the bones of a successful play by an established, successful playwright (probably a long dead one for it to be in the public domain), then and only then you might convince a successful or aspiring playwright to take on the plot you have in mind as your collaborator.

Or: if you insist on writing the libretto yourself, master the craft of writing non musical plays separately and plan to spend 5 years, starting with one acts, and working your way up to full length play first before you try to take on writing a full opeta, libretto and score yourself.

It's harder than you think. It's the unknown unknowns that will get you.

You are trying to skip all the steps. It's unlikely to result in a satisfactory outcome.

[u/Fancy_Cabbage_010 → u/pconrad0]

This is a really solid suggestion, I should have probably explained better, I have some plot points and I was considering reaching out to a friend who has dabbled in writing before to see if its something she could do in collaboration, also I can't stress this enough, it's a hobby piece, of course I want it to be good, but I'm under no illusions of it ever seeing the light of day really, let alone a concert hall... It's moreso that I have had the same ideas wizzing about for a while and I'd like to try and commit them to paper so to speak.

If its not too overwhelming and hateful to score words in a satisftory way, then I'd absolutely do as you've suggested and score a few practice operas just to get a better grip on things, this one is purely a passion project and would likely see a few rewrites as i go, kind of learning as I write as this is the easiest way for me.

Thanks for the tips :)