a guiding theme; in Wagnerian opera, a marked melodic phrase or short musical passage which always accompanies the reappearance of a certain person, situation, abstract idea, or allusion in the course of the play; a sort of musical label. Also called Leading motive.

An event or object suggesting a person, idea or image that is 'quoted' throughout a module to indicate that person etc.

Ger. for leading motive, a device developed by Wagner. A short and usually memorable musical motive associated by frequent repetition with a character (say, Loge), sentiment (the Hero to come), object (the Sword, the Rhine gold) or turn of events (magic sleep). The Leitmotivs figure prominently in the orchestral texture to provide the listener with multiple points of reference in Wagner's complex tales. Later used successfully by other composers, including Richard Strauss.

A term adopted by Wagner's disciples to designate the "leading motives" in his operas.

(LIGHT-moe-teef) A short musical figure, sometimes no more than three or four notes, which instantly identifies a person, thing, event, or idea in music and, above all in opera. There are suggestions of the leitmotiv in Gluck and Mozart, as well as various German Romantic operas especially—those of von Weber. Wagner is the most well known practitioner of this device. His music shows how a subtle and intelligent use of leitmotives could not only recall characters or objects to mind, but also could convey to the listener an intricate understanding of how these elements change in the course of the drama—the musical modification or development expressing a new psychological or dramatic state.

a melodic phrase that accompanies the reappearance of a person or situation (as in Wagner's operas)

a short musical passage which brings to mind a character or situation in a musical drama.