a melody of some independence that accompanies another musical idea. Historically the term has meant that the obbligato part is "obligatory" and cannot be omitted (left out). The term is often used incorrectly to mean the opposite. In German it is spelled "Obligato".
(Ital.) : A part that must not be left out. Opp. is ad libitum . Popular parlance sometimes wrongly calls an optional line above the melody "the obbligato" (as in "Swanee River" + "Humoresque"). The better term here is "the discant."
an accompanying instrumental line in a vocal solo, which the player treats as a concerto
a part of the score that must be performed without change or omission
an optional instrumental part above the melody
A second part or accompaniment to solo parts
An elaborate melodic part accompanying a solo or principal melody.
(ah-blee-GAH-toe) The proper Italian term for what we would more generally call a "descant"; a melodic line that complements the general tune, usually sung or played in a higher register.
An accompanying part that is very important and thus not to be omitted; countermelody.
In classical music an obbligato (Italian for obligatory, from Latin word obligare, to oblige) is an elaborate accompaniment part played by a single instrument. Originally indicated a passage of music that was to be played as written, without changes or omissions, as opposed to ad libitum.