metastasio: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal; Academic (Musicology, Theatre History); Literary
Quick answer
What does “metastasio” mean?
The pen name of Pietro Trapassi (1698–1782), a highly influential Italian poet and librettist of the 18th century, whose works were set to music by numerous major composers.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The pen name of Pietro Trapassi (1698–1782), a highly influential Italian poet and librettist of the 18th century, whose works were set to music by numerous major composers.
Used metonymically to refer to the highly stylized, neoclassical operatic librettos he wrote, characterized by pastoral themes, noble sentiment, and elaborate verse. His name can also signify the dominant operatic tradition of his era.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The primary distinction may be in pronunciation.
Connotations
Both varieties carry the same connotations of high culture, classical opera, and 18th-century artistic ideals.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, confined to specialist fields.
Grammar
How to Use “metastasio” in a Sentence
Proper Noun (Subject/Object)Metastasio + Verb (e.g., wrote, influenced)Adjective + Metastasio (e.g., famous, prolific)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “metastasio” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The production had a distinctly Metastasian elegance.
American English
- Her analysis focused on Metastasian dramatic structure.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
The dissertation examines the reception of Metastasio's libretti in Vienna.
Technical
The aria follows the standard da capo form typical of a Metastasian text.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “metastasio”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “metastasio”
- Incorrect: 'The metastasio of the plot was complex.' (Used as a common noun) | Correct: 'The Metastasian libretto was complex.'
- Incorrect: 'a Metastasio' (using indefinite article with a proper name) | Correct: 'a work by Metastasio'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is a highly specialised term relevant only to the study of music history, theatre, or 18th-century Italian literature.
In British English, it is approximately /ˌmɛtəˈstɑːzɪəʊ/. In American English, it is /ˌmɛtəˈstɑːzioʊ/. The stress is on the third syllable ('stah').
Yes, though rarely. The adjectival form 'Metastasian' (e.g., Metastasian drama) is more common in academic writing to describe works in his style.
He standardized the form and content of opera seria (serious opera) for much of the 18th century. His librettos were set to music hundreds of times by composers like Hasse, Mozart, Gluck, and many others, making him a central figure in European musical theatre.
The pen name of Pietro Trapassi (1698–1782), a highly influential Italian poet and librettist of the 18th century, whose works were set to music by numerous major composers.
Metastasio is usually formal; academic (musicology, theatre history); literary in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: META (beyond) + STASIO (sounds like 'stage') = the poet whose work went 'beyond the stage' to define an era.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FOUNDATION STONE; Metastasio's works are metaphorically the 'cornerstone' or 'blueprint' for 18th-century serious opera.
Practice
Quiz
What is 'Metastasio' primarily known as?